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The Soul Which Descended
Among the many childless wives who came to the Baal Shem with requests for a miracle, there was one woman who returned regularly for many years. Finally one day, she overheard the Master say that her wish would be granted, that the time was ripe and that she would be blessed with a child. Some time later she gave birth to a beautiful boy, but he appeared to distance himself from her from the outset. The boy grew up and studied with the Master, who treated him like his own son. Many important men wanted him as their son-in-law but the young man humbly avoided all the beautiful young women who were brought to his attention. One day, the Baal Shem sent his messenger to a distant town to bring back a poor man and his youngest daughter. The young couple seemed to recognise something in each other from the very outset and not long after they got married. At the wedding festivities, the Master related their history, which spanned several lives, and recounted how they had once been separated prematurely a long time ago, and how they had met again. Man's soul consists of two halves which are reunited only when each finds the other.
"Rabbi Judah said in the name of Rav: Forty days before the embryo is formed, a Heavenly Voice (calls) out and says ‘The daugther of so-and-so (shall marry) so-and-so.’" (Talmud, Sotah 2a)
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