The incredible bond we have with souls of loved ones that passed away

The unity of all Jews, besides for love of all Jews, derives from the fact that every single Jew is “an actual part of God Above.” And because every soul is a part of God, therefore “Every Jew has a share in the World to Come” – the soul is eternal; the eternal nature of the soul is, in fact, the greatest expression of its Godly essence. So when we speak of the unity of all Jews – a fundamental principle in the Torah – it obviously includes all souls. Even a soul which, for whatever the reason, is Above, in the World of Truth, it is not affected – it is a part of the love and unity of the Jewish People. Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we are told: “Seek out God when He can be found; call out to Him when He is near” – at this time of year it is most manifest the part of God that is within, and which enlivens, each and every Jew, and this includes and unites, all Jewish souls since the beginning of creation – their unity in God bonds them together even stronger than do the bonds of love. That is why we recite Yizkor on the holiest day of the year, recalling the souls that are Above, in the World of Truth. Although Yizkor is recited every Festival, it has more profound power on Yom Kippur, to effect atonement. As we mentioned before – and not lightly: We see with multitudes of Jews today that the soul of their grandfather or grandmother who has passed on – or, if the person is on in years, the soul of his father or mother who has passed on – brings him to the synagogue once a year. Regardless of how he lives his life the rest of the year, his father or mother in the World of Truth brings him to the synagogue on Yom Kippur; there, he joins and unites with fellow Jews and together they recite Yizkor along with the words, “I will donate to charity in their memory.” So powerfully bound is the soul above to the soul below such that many days before Yom Kippur – even weeks or months in advance – Jews part with their hard-earned livelihood in order to ensure that when Yom Kippur arrives he will have a place to go, to connect with a soul in the world Above. And where will this occur? In a holy synagogue, where people pray to God, study His Torah, and pledge charity to Him. So great is the bond between the soul Above and the soul below that weeks and months in advance, Jews part with their money – man’s “very life and soul” as the Alter Rebbe states even about a nickel; how much more so, to “buy a seat” in synagogue, which costs much more than a nickel… What stirs the person so? What stirs him to such measures to show so openly and definitively that regardless of how he has behaved the rest of the year, he is a Jew like all other Jews? And when does he feel at home – truly at home? When does he feel connected to his parents and grandparents and to his ancestors all the way back? When he comes to synagogue and recites the prayers and words which were laid out by our righteous Sages. And he translates this feeling into action, by pledging charity. Even before coming, he prepares his wardrobe, his family, his friends – so that all will know that on this day of the year he is different and higher than the rest of the year. And how does he show he is higher? By going to synagogue and standing before God in prayer “like a servant before his master,” along with multitudes of fellow Jews. Even after he leaves the synagogue at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, he remembers to honor his pledge to charity, and he gives it happily. And knowing Torah’s promise that “One Mitzvah leads to another,” he accepts that his observance of this day’s Mitzvos will lead to yet more Mitzvos, and ultimately to complete Jewish observance. This bond is aroused in every Jewish man and woman, even in those who regularly attend synagogue – all are uniquely stirred during Yizkor when they recite the names of their loved ones in the World of Truth realizing that at that very moment their souls are present here below, as taught in the holy books.