Nothing Here but Stones - Torah reflections

Hi Parents,
Our 4th grqde Judaica classes shared some wonderful insights about stories
in the Torah that feature "stones" - with much symbolism. Cain killed
Abel with a rock, as David defeated Goliath with his slingshot. Moshe
brought the two tablets of stone down from Sinai, and altars (as in the
story of Akeidat Yitzchak, the test of Isaac) and wells (as in the story
of Rebecca meeting Isaac) were built of stone.

Stone could represent strength, permanence, and hope for the future.
Stone is indestructible and lasting, and this is one of the messages the
author of Nothing Here But Stones might have had in mind when giving the
book this title. The students read in chapter 1 about a family that comes
from Russia to America with expectations that are quickly dashed, and that
the family will need to face and overcome many challenges to survive and
succeed. Our discussion paralleled this lesson throughout examples in the
Torah; how true, that to succeed and build, we need to begin with dreams
and then provide "building blocks," hopefully to establish permanence on
some level.

Morah Kaylee