Jewish tradition grapples with this very idea, and it finds a rather poetic expression in Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Deuteronomy.

The passage we're looking at revolves around the verse "carve for yourself" (Deuteronomy 10:1). It's a seemingly simple phrase, but the Rabbis, in their wisdom, find layers upon layers of meaning within it. They connect it to a verse from Ecclesiastes (3:5): "A time to cast stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing." What does one have to do with the other?

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.

But 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.

But 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?