"It is a very fortunate person who finds a person who is not just somebody to talk to, but a real friend.
Friends do not have to be like each other.
They may become like each other over time, but friendship is not based on similarity.
The mutual feeling of compatibility transcends gender, race, language, and culture, as well as almost every other barrier.
Once we realize the importance of such a relationship, the word 'friend' becomes far more loaded.
We will use the term more cautiously, because it now has meaning and depth.
Finding friendship is sometimes a matter of luck; sometimes, it requires prayer.
If there is a lottery of life, then finding a genuine friend is a great prize."
--Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
From "Friends" in Simple Words by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
