The Midrash disputes how many stones Yaakov Avinu took. Rabbi Yehudah posits that the Patriarch took twelve stones. Rabbi Nechemiah contends that he took three stones. The Rabbanan say that he took only two stones. Horav Yechezkel Abramsky, zl, offers a homiletic understanding of Rabbi Nechemiah’s position that there were three stones. He suggests that “stones” are a metaphor which alludes to the three Patriarchs, who are the foundation stones upon which the world is built. Each Patriarch represents his individual approach towards serving the Divine. Avraham Avinu represents the middah, attribute, of chesed, kindness. Yitzchak Avinu characterizes avodah, service and devotion to Hashem; Yaakov embodies Torah.
Our Patriarch Yaakov arrived at the makom Hamikdash, place where the Bais Hamikdash would one day be constructed, and he encountered three stones. Chazal teach that the stones began to debate one another. “Upon my head, the tzaddik will rest his head,” they each declared. When Hashem saw the stones becoming embroiled in controversy, He immediately fused them together to form one stone. What is Chazal’s message? What lesson does the debate among the stones and Hashem’s fusion of them impart to us?
Rav Abramsky explains that the stones represent the three Patriarchs who began to contend with one another. The issue was: Which of the three foundations upon which the world rests is actually the rosh, head, most significant? Where should the tzaddik place his head, his primary avodah, service to Hashem? On which one of the three media represented by the stones should he place his greatest focus? Avraham claimed that chesed is the prime vehicle for achieving distinction and for inspiring the world. Yitzchak felt that avodah should be characterized by prayer and intense spiritual devotion. Yaakov insisted that it is through Torah that one can make his most significant contribution toward maintaining the world.
Hashem settled the dispute by fusing them all together. His message to them was straightforward: One who seeks shleimus, spiritual perfection, is compelled to complete and perfect himself in all three foundations. One who exemplifies only one – or two – will not succeed in attaining perfection.
Yaakov arose in the morning, anointed the stone with oil, and declared, “This stone which I have set up as a pillar shall become a House of G-d” (Bereishis 28:22). He taught that one who strives to erect a veritable sanctuary for Hashem must embody and perfect himself in all three areas: Torah, avodah and gemillus chassadim.
