Spotting Faces in the Stone That Fell from the Western Wall? Sorry to Disappoint, Judaism is a More Intelligent Affair

Earlier this week, a significant event occurred in Israel. A massive stone, weighing hundreds of kilograms, was dislodged from the Western Wall in the section known as the 'Ezrat Yisrael' and crashed to the ground with a great noise. A lone woman standing there and reciting Psalms was miraculously saved. The incident created a great resonance, with networks worldwide reporting on it.

After the initial shock, apparent experts began to emerge like mushrooms after the rain, almost clearly pointing out why the event happened and on whose account this great storm had occurred. The writer, alongside other rabbis, received hysterical inquiries thirsting to know the spiritual significance of the matter, wondering what the heavens were hinting at us.

Every Event in the World Has Meaning

Some found heavenly signals in the event, revealing writings that spoke of a stone that Jeroboam son of Nebat installed in the Wall for idol worship, predicting redemption with its fall. A matter that, without delving too deep, is suggested to be loaded with explanations and clarifications, mainly historically and factually. Archaeologists on the other hand assert that it is a result of the reckless works of the 'Waqf' that ruins and destroys every good plot on the Temple Mount; another expert told the media it's natural erosion. One says one thing, and another says another. What’s certain is, they managed to sow confusion among the public.

Those who made the most of it were those who discovered the next day meaningful-looking figures in the formed chasm, even deriving various conclusions. One was ready to swear that he saw an enraged figure, hinting at the anger from the heavens at that particular section of the Wall, shamefully designated for Reform Jews and other destroyers of the faith, backed by the High Court that routinely dares to interfere in irrelevant matters. There were those who saw a figure of a woman with *tefillin*, deducing again that the fury is directed at the reformists who wear the guise of holiness and place *tefillin* on the Wall in open defiance.

It almost goes without saying that as believing Jews, we know that every event that occurs in the world has significance, especially in a place as sacred from which the divine presence never departed. A place forbidden from which even a little should be taken down, or weeds pulled, as we were warned regarding the Temple and its sanctities "Do not do so to Hashem your God", (see Chazon Ovadia by our master of blessed memory, part Four Fasts and more), without doubt, there is meaning to what happens there. Also, the exceptional timing, the day following Tisha B'Av, the day of destruction of the Temples, holds great symbolic meaning. But who among us can arrogantly pretend to accurately point out the reason and the hint? For solutions belong to Hashem.

And even though introspection is indeed required, the approach claiming one cannot manage the accounts of the Blessed God is neither correct nor Jewish. Similar to what the Rambam defined in the Laws of Fasts, those who regard disasters, Heaven forbid, as 'coincidence' without paying attention to bettering their ways as cruelty and foolishness. No less! So what is it then? Clearly, we need self-introspection, but first and foremost with ourselves. It's clear hints can be found, but not decisively, as if prophecy had been given in our generation to know exactly heavenly accounts. It is clear that ideas for improvement can be suggested but with humility and submission.

Faces and Strange Meanings

Indeed, I do not deny that there may be a connection to the divine presence's distress over the desecration of the place by Reform Jews who rarely come there for worship. However, as mentioned, it's desirable that we examine ourselves first. With the Reformers, Hashem has his own account. But in any case, the main address is primarily to us, the Torah and mitzvot observers. The Chofetz Chaim would say, basing it on the words of the holy prophets, that even when disaster strikes among the gentiles, essentially, the Blessed God is speaking to us through them. As stated, I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet. But perhaps in humility and modesty, I can suggest ideas: maybe we do not sufficiently respect the Western Wall? Maybe we do not pray enough for the building of the Temple? Maybe we do not sufficiently uphold the Wall’s dignity? Perhaps, in general, we do not respect synagogues, which are small temples, enough and discuss mundane matters within, or unfortunately cause quarrels within the sanctuary? It is clear that in all these matters, we must constantly be strengthened, thereby hasten and accelerate redemption.

And concerning the images and faces, and the strange meanings each person ascribes to them. Sorry to disappoint. It reminds me of memories from my childhood. When my father wanted to convince me to eat, he would show me shapes of an elephant and a lion formed in a slice of cut bread. True, I was once small, and I was convinced. But I've grown since, and I've come to understand that Judaism is a much more intelligent and wise affair than a collection of faces and bizarre imaginations. We have an orderly Torah of life, and the Blessed God speaks to us clearly through His holy Torah and the sages of Israel, without the need to send us ‘smiley faces’ born from the fevered imagination of anyone.

Strengthen? Not So Sure

For me, everything is clear until now. However, a response I received prompts me to clarify my words a bit: "We are in a generation where anything that can strengthen, welcome it!" said the response.

And since unfortunately there are quite a few who think like him, I feel a need to clarify - It's true that today there's a huge and significant growth in the field of public outreach, and hundreds and thousands of posts, lectures, and strengthening statuses are disseminated daily. But those who are slightly inside know that unfortunately, alongside the good intentions, mistakes are also made. When things are spread indiscriminately, without precision, without proper checking, and worse, without a shred of responsibility for who might receive them misinterpreted. Also, to bring close those who are far, the end justifying the means is forbidden. Special use of sages and consultation with Torah greats is necessary with every step, to ensure we don’t, Heaven forbid, lose by gaining. Here’s a classic example of that, turning religion into an abstract collection of imaginations supposedly to strengthen?! Nothing mocks, derides, and damages more than this.

Moreover, I argued with the objector, come and see to what slippery slope this approach leads. For continuing your line of thought, the Reformers will not stand idly by. They can argue exactly the opposite claim, that maybe the image of the Reform woman with the *tefillin* signals that Hashem is actually pleased with them... God forbid. He laughed and hopefully understood as well.

In conclusion, I solemnly told him: if you find someone who strengthened in any mitzvah due to those faces, send him to me. In the meantime, several days have passed, and he is probably still searching...