The picture that the medrash, quoted by Rashi, conjures has inculcated in the hearts of countless generations the deep respect we extend to tzadikim, the love we have for making our guests most wanted, and the vibrant life of the land of Israel all at once. Indeed, from our earliest years we are taught to imagine the stones of Yerushalayim fighting with each other, each one assuring Yaakov that they will provide the most comfortable and protected place for his night’s rest. “The [stones] begin to argue with each one saying, ‘The Tzadik should rest his head on me’ to which the other responds, ‘[no way! he] should rest on me’; and Hashem resolves the dispute as he fashions one large stone from all of them” (Chulin 91b, quoted by Rashi, 28:11). Thus, Chazal resolve the narrative at the very beginning of the parsha which states that Yaakov selected several stones with the later narrative that records Yaakov taking only one stone.
Yet as we get older, we wonder what the deeper ideas and lessons are that Chazal want us to appreciate from this event. Does appreciating tzadikim, or the importance of hachnosas orchim, warrant a miraculous intervention like that which occurred with these stones?
A brief comment of the saintly giant of Sha’arei Chessed, (whose yahrzeit was this week), Harav Yaakov Moshe Charlop, which makes this medrash powerfully relevant and consequently deeply moving. The stones represent the unbudgeable foundational principles of groups within our people. Each faction sees its core beliefs deserving of the approval and encouragement conferred by Yaakov’s selection. Each group vies for Yaakov’s head; “on me rest your head!” Each group claims to be the core teaching and central legacy of Yaakov Avinu. Each stone argues that they are the most comfortable, the most natural match, the one who understands legacies best and will do best at protecting them.
The “nimshal” or analogue is alive and well, as the Jewish street is loud with debate and discord. To be sure, we are no strangers to confrontation and altercation; to discourse and disharmony.
If it is louder, more fierce, less tolerant of other’s opinions, or more comfortable with national rifts, then redemption, opines Rav Yaakov Moshe, is closer as well. The volume and the conviction are the visceral realization that opinions, beliefs, legacies, and priorities matter more now than ever before.
As our nation becomes firmly replanted in our homeland, doctrines and dogmas will become definitive; philosophies, positions and perspectives will shape our people’s eternal character. Getting it right will speed up the redemption, bring security, serenity, and peace, all the while reducing pain and suffering. The stakes are over the top; the passion grows; the conviction becomes uncompromising and the divisiveness painful.
At that point, only Hashem can bridge the chasm and make us a unified, colorful, and charismatic people bringing the totality of who we are, all twelve tribes of us, to a world which desperately needs our light.