בַּשֶׁרֶט
Bashert
“Soulmate / Destined one”
Bashert (בַּשֶׁרֶט) is a Hebrew phrase meaning “soulmate / destined one,” pronounced “ba-SHERT.” The literal translation is “fated, destined.” A Yiddish-Hebrew concept describing a divinely destined romantic partner. Rooted in the Talmudic teaching that God matches souls before birth.
| Hebrew | בַּשֶׁרֶט |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Bashert |
| English Meaning | Soulmate / Destined one |
| Literal Translation | Fated, destined |
| Pronunciation | ba-SHERT |
| Category | Love & Relationships |
| Origin | Yiddish, from the German 'beschert' (bestowed/fated), adopted into Hebrew usage. The concept is rooted in Talmud Sotah 2a: 'Forty days before the formation of a child, a heavenly voice declares: the daughter of so-and-so is destined for so-and-so.' |
In Jewish tradition, the search for a life partner isn't just romance — it's destiny. The concept of bashert (from the Yiddish, widely adopted in Hebrew) holds that God matches souls before they are born. The Talmud teaches that forty days before a child is formed, a heavenly voice announces who their marriage partner will be (Sotah 2a). This doesn't mean finding your bashert is easy — the Talmud also says that matchmaking is as difficult as splitting the Red Sea. But it means that somewhere in the cosmic design, your person exists. The word bashert has become so central to Jewish thinking about love that it's used in both Yiddish and Hebrew-speaking communities worldwide.
Where Does “Bashert” Come From?
Yiddish, from the German 'beschert' (bestowed/fated), adopted into Hebrew usage. The concept is rooted in Talmud Sotah 2a: 'Forty days before the formation of a child, a heavenly voice declares: the daughter of so-and-so is destined for so-and-so.'
When and How to Say “Bashert”
Used to describe one's destined life partner: 'She's my bashert.' Also used more broadly to describe anything that was 'meant to be.' Common in Jewish matchmaking (shidduch) culture and in modern Jewish dating discourse.
Cultural Context of Bashert
The concept of bashert influences how many Jews approach dating — with the belief that finding the right partner is part of a divine plan. Modern Jewish dating apps and matchmaking services often reference bashert in their marketing. The tension between actively searching and trusting in divine timing is a perennial Jewish dating conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “Soulmate / Destined one” in Hebrew?
“Soulmate / Destined one” in Hebrew is Bashert (בַּשֶׁרֶט), pronounced “ba-SHERT.” The literal translation is “Fated, destined.” A Yiddish-Hebrew concept describing a divinely destined romantic partner. Rooted in the Talmudic teaching that God matches souls before birth.
How do you pronounce Bashert?
Bashert is pronounced “ba-SHERT.” The literal meaning is “Fated, destined.”
What does bashert mean?
Bashert means 'destined' or 'fated,' and in Jewish culture it specifically refers to one's divinely predestined soulmate. It comes from Yiddish (derived from German 'beschert') and is widely used in Hebrew. When someone says 'She's my bashert,' they mean she's the person God destined for them.
Is bashert a Hebrew or Yiddish word?
Bashert is originally Yiddish (from German 'beschert' meaning 'bestowed/fated'), but it has been fully adopted into modern Hebrew usage. The underlying concept — that God determines soulmates before birth — comes from the Talmud, which is written in Hebrew and Aramaic.
What does the Talmud say about soulmates?
The Talmud (Sotah 2a) states: 'Forty days before the creation of a child, a heavenly voice announces: The daughter of so-and-so is destined for so-and-so.' It also says (Sanhedrin 22a) that matchmaking is as difficult for God as splitting the Red Sea — suggesting that even divine matchmaking involves complex coordination.
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