Racheli came into the apartment, dropped her purse by the
door and then dropped herself into the old wicker rocking
chair. After a rock or two, she called out to her two
roommates shmoozing at the back of the apartment.
"I'm back..." She let her words hang in the air. She knew
they would be in their shared living room within seconds.
"What? When...?" The girls came running out. Judy and Esther
plopped themselves down on the lumpy couch and took up their
positions to hear how Racheli's latest date had gone. One
look at her face and they knew it had been a success. It had
been her second date with David and it definitely looked like
they were heading in the right direction.
"Obviously, you had a great time," Judy noted. "I can see the
stars in your eyes."
"I'll say," Esther looked Racheli over approvingly. "Nu, tell
us where you went, what he said, what you said... You
know."
"Well," Racheli started, "we just went for a walk in a nice
park. He offered to buy me an ice cream but I opted for a
diet coke."
"Yeah, those guys can't understand why we reject their offers
for cake or ice cream."
"Stop interrupting, Esther. Let Racheli finish."
"I don't know. What is there to say? Somehow, it just seems
to click. We have so many common interests. Our goals seem to
be in sync..."
"Yeah, and he knows everything?" Judy asked with concern.
Racheli looked a bit taken aback but knew that her friend
meant only well. "Yes, he knows about my parents' divorce. We
even talked about what it was like being an adult when your
parents separate. He was pretty sympathetic."
Just then Racheli jumped up. "Oh, my gosh! I forgot that I
have a six o'clock walking date with Kayla tomorrow
morning."
Esther mocked her friend. "Six o'clock? What do you think?
You're a rooster? All right, good night girls. I don't have
to tell Racheli to have sweet dreams." Judy still looked
concerned as she got ready for bed.
In truth, Racheli herself wasn't so sure she had wanted to
meet David. The whole way the shidduch had been
suggested seemed absurd. It had all started when she had been
eating Shabbos lunch at her adopted family, the Kleins.
Racheli had learned for two years in one of the schools in
Jerusalem for girls ranging in level and background. After an
ulpan, she had decided that Israel was her home, had found a
job using her teaching degree and was now sharing an
apartment with some nice girls. She was hoping that she would
soon find her bashert.
While in seminary, Racheli had met the Kleins among the many
families that the school had set her up with. Somehow she had
found herself going back to them many times. She enjoyed the
warm relaxed atmosphere, where she knew she could reveal
herself without too much probing. By her second year of
seminary, Racheli found herself "hanging out" at the Kleins
on Thursday nights, helping with the baking or just holding
the baby while Netty Klein bustled about.
One particular Shabbos, there had been another girl eating
who was presently learning at the same seminary Racheli had
attended. Racheli hadn't taken much notice of her, as it was
usual for the Kleins to have other guests. But apparently,
she had taken note of Racheli and had decided that she was
perfect for her brother's roommate. Her brother was also
studying in Israel at a yeshiva with a beginners level. He
was always mentioning what a great guy his roommate, David,
was. David had already been learning at the yeshiva for a few
years and had advanced nicely. His teachers were very proud
of him and felt he had a great future. Unfortunately, nothing
seemed to be moving with shidduchim.
Racheli was pretty skeptical when she heard all this via the
Kleins but she did trust them and gave them permission to
check out this boy and see if he was suitable. Upon their
glowing report, a date was set. Of course, the Kleins let the
matchmaker know all about their protogee. Was she listening
to the details?
After another glorious date at the zoo, everyone was
convinced of the inevitable outcome of this proposed match.
Esther was humming a wedding song, the Kleins were planning
sheva brochos and Racheli and David were glowing. For
some reason, Judy seemed preoccupied.
*
Rachel was shaking with nerves as she dressed. She was
meeting David that night and he had intimated that they were
going somewhere special. After a frantic search through her
closet, she finally came up with something suitable. They
really did go somewhere nice. It was the new restaurant that
everyone was talking about. The waiter showed the young
couple to their reserved table. Everything felt so elegant.
Racheli was giddy with nerves.
David started to calm her with some friendly banter and began
talking about his day. "I decided to daven at the
Kosel this morning. I thought it would be appropriate before
such a momentous event in my — I mean our lives."
Racheli was sure she was about to faint. She half listened as
he gushed on.
All of a sudden, after a moment or two, the import of his
last statement started to register. "Can you say that again?"
she asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry," David replied. "There I go again, talking at
full speed. It's just that whenever I'm part of birkas
kohanim at the Kosel, it has this effect on me."
"You mean receiving the blessings?" Rachel asked half-
heartedly.
"No, of course not. I mean when I say them," David answered,
puzzled. Suddenly, he took a look at Racheli and gasped.
"What — what's the matter?" She was white as a
sheet.
"I can't believe this could happen. How could you not have
known? How could I not have known?"
She half cried. "I guess I'd better explain. My Mom converted
non-Orthodox in order to marry my Dad. Then a number of years
after we kids were born, she converted again..." David's eyes
grew large as she continued, "...which means..."
Racheli took a breath and said, "...that I'm a convert since
I was about two, reaffirmed when I became bas mitzva. So I
can't marry a kohen."
There was nothing for David to say. He turned to the waiter.
"Uh, we've decided that we're not hungry after all. Take this
tip for your trouble."
Racheli followed him out of the restaurant. "Here," he said,
"I want to give you money for a cab home. And Racheli, I
really mean it when I say that I wish you a truly wonderful
life. Good luck."
Racheli couldn't answer. Hopping into the first cab that came
by, she saved her tears for the privacy of her apartment.
POSTSCRIPT: Racheli met and married a wonderful young man and
has built a bayis ne'eman b'Yisroel. Ever since, she
is always very careful to give over very accurate,
comprehensive information for shidduchim, as we all
should.
