VAYEITZEI - FROM STONES TO STONE

There is a well-known Midrash at the beginning of Vayeitzei that describes an argument that took place between the stones that Jacob had taken to rest his head on the fateful night when God revealed himself during the angels’ ladder dream. According to the Midrash, all the stones wanted the holy man’s head to rest on them. To resolve the dispute, God fused the stones together so that they became one rock, and Jacob rested his head on all of them. Rabbi Dunner examines this curious midrashic passage, and offers a number of wonderful insights into its inner meaning, using a selection of classical and modern sources.