Hadrian Before the Flood

Devarim Rabbah turns to Hadrian Before the Flood.

Rabbi Tanhuma offers a powerful, albeit tragic, interpretation. He sees "a time to cast stones" as a reference to the Roman emperor Hadrian – may his bones be crushed, as the text bluntly puts it – ascending to Jerusalem and shattering the stones of the Beit Hamikdash, the Holy Temple. Think about the sheer devastation of that act.

Then, hope emerges. "And a time to gather stones" – Rabbi Tanhuma continues – "there will be a time when the Holy One, blessed be He, will build it." Where does this optimism come from? He points us to (Isaiah 28:16-17), a prophecy promising a firm foundation in Zion, a precious cornerstone, justice, and righteousness. The prophet envisions a future where falsehood is swept away and truth prevails. It's a powerful image of restoration, a promise that even after the most devastating destruction, rebuilding is possible.

Wait, there's more! The Rabbis offer another, perhaps more personal, interpretation. "A time to cast stones," they say, speaks of Moses himself. Remember the story of the Golden Calf? As we find in (Exodus 32:19), when Moses descended from Mount Sinai and saw the Israelites worshipping the idol, his anger flared, and he cast down the Tablets of the Law, shattering them at the foot of the mountain. A dramatic, heartbreaking moment.

And what, then, is "a time to gather stones?" It's the moment when God tells Moses, "Carve for yourself two Tablets of stone" (Exodus 34:1). A chance to start again, to rebuild the covenant between God and the Israelites. Even after such a profound act of betrayal and disappointment, there's an opportunity for renewal.

What's so striking about this passage is how it weaves together the historical, the prophetic, and the personal. It speaks of the destruction of the Temple, a national tragedy, but also of Moses's personal struggle with his people's failings. Both are seen as moments of "casting stones," moments of destruction. And both are followed by the promise of "gathering stones," of rebuilding and renewal.

So, what does this mean for us today? Perhaps it's a reminder that life is indeed full of these cycles. We experience moments of shattering, of loss, of disappointment. But within those moments, there's always the potential for rebuilding. For finding new foundations, for carving out new paths. It requires faith, resilience, and the willingness to gather the scattered pieces and begin again. And isn't that, ultimately, what the human story is all about?

Another matter, “carve for yourself” – this is what the verse said: “A time to cast stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing” (Ecclesiastes 3:5). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: What is “a time to cast stones”? There was a time for Hadrian, may his bones be crushed, to ascend and shatter the stones of the Temple. “And a time to gather stones” – there will be a time when the Holy One blessed be He will build it. From where is this derived? As it is stated: “Therefore, so said the Lord God: Behold, I am laying a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sturdy foundation; the faithful will not hurry. I will place justice as the line and righteousness as the plummet, and hail will sweep away the shelter of falsehood, and water will flood the concealed place” (Isaiah 28:16–17). Another matter, “a time to cast stones” – the Rabbis say: It is speaking of Moses; there was a time for Moses to cast down the Tablets, as it is written: “It was, when he approached the camp; he saw the calf and dancing; Moses’ wrath was enflamed and he cast the Tablets from his hands and he shattered them at the foot of the mountain” (Exodus 32:19). “And a time to gather stones” – there was a time for him to restore them to Israel, as it is stated: “Carve for yourself two Tablets of stone.”