The Foundation Stone

Yoma 54b

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

And it was called the Foundation Stone. It was taught: Because from it the world was founded. We learned in the Mishnah in accordance with the one who says that the world was created from Zion. As it was taught: Rabbi Eliezer says: The world was created from its center, as it is said: "When the dust runs into a mass and the clods cleave together" (Job 38:38). Rabbi Yitzhak the Smith said: The Holy One, blessed be He, cast a stone into the sea, and from it the world was founded, as it is said: "Upon what were its foundations sunk, or who laid its cornerstone?" (Job 38:6). And the Sages say: It was created from Zion, as it is said: "A psalm of Asaph: God, the LORD God" (Psalms 50:1), and it says: "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty" (Psalms 50:2) - from it was perfected the beauty of the world.

Themes

CreationHeavenAdam EveNoahTempleHoly Land

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