From Stone to House of Hashem: The Current Message from Jacob's Dream

In our portion, we read about our forefather Jacob taking stones from the place of the Temple and placing them at his head, and later it is said 'he set it as a pillar and poured oil on its top.' Jacob took the stone (according to the sages, the stones became one stone), poured oil on its top, and declared that this stone is designated to be a 'House of Hashem.'

Stone – Father and Son

Jacob transforms an inanimate stone into something sacred. Similarly, in the time of redemption, all the inanimate objects of the world will be elevated. The people of Israel, and to a certain extent all nations, and even the levels below human speech - the living and the growing - will recognize the greatness of the Creator, and even the inanimate will become a 'House of Hashem.'

In Chassidic teachings, there are wonderful things hinted at in the word 'stone' (even in Hebrew).

A – Aleph of the World, AB – Our Father in Heaven, BN – Son.

The son takes the stone and makes a home and building for his Father in Heaven, for the 'Aleph of the World' hinted in the letter Aleph. The role of a Jew is to take what exists in the world and make it a dwelling place for G-d, similar to our forefather Jacob, about whom it is said 'and he took from the stones of the place.'

Our sages said, 'The deeds of the fathers are a sign for the children.' Jacob's work in turning inanimate objects into sacred vessels gives strength to Jews in all generations to succeed in their work to transform inanimate things into tools and places for the Divine presence, turning the world into good and shining stones.

Nullification to Hashem's Will

It is truly wondrous that an inanimate stone gives light. Even in darkness, a good stone can shine, thanks to its characteristic of nullification.

The word 'inanimate' has a linguistic relation to the word 'silenced,' representing nullification, as in the verse 'surely I have set and silenced my soul' (Psalms 131:2). Nullification is reflected in the stone's immobility, it is carried from place to place according to the will of someone higher. This suggests nullification and accepting the yoke in man's work. One dedicates oneself completely to doing Hashem's will, like inanimate stones that do not move, directing all of one's being to complete their mission and act according to Hashem's will precisely, moving from task to task and place to place as per the Creator's will.

Shining Stones

Stones have a wonderful quality. Besides being inanimate and submissive to Hashem's will, there are also good and shining stones, more excellent and valuable than silver, gold, and other illuminating objects, and at times they even adorn the king's crown.

The lesson we can learn from this is that specifically when we engage with the simple things in our world and lives to fulfill Hashem's will, their wonderful root is revealed, creating illumination from afar. In Chassidut, it is explained that the light in good stones is rooted in the light of the stars, and from the highest stars. The message is - working with the lowest things specifically connects us with the highest things.

House of Hashem

As mentioned, 'The deeds of the fathers are a sign for the children.' In the time of redemption, the entire material world will be elevated, and the results of every action and commandment done by the people of Israel with material and lowly objects, which today seem inanimate, will be revealed. Then the high value of all these actions will be exposed. Every inanimate object turned into a use of mitzvah and holiness will shine with a wonderful light. All the good thoughts, Torah words, and good deeds will illuminate the world openly, and thus the whole world - the concealment - that seems today like an inanimate stone will turn into a 'House of Hashem.'

May it be the will that each of us succeeds in gathering the inanimate things around us and turning them into a place of holiness. The mitzvot performed today with effort and joy through material things are likened to the process of cleaning and polishing stones. In the time of redemption, the good stones of mitzvot and good deeds will shine, and from them, the Third Temple will be built, speedily in our days indeed.

Adapted according to the teachings of Rabbi Dov Menachem Dubrovski.