The ancient rabbis certainly understood it. Let me tell you a story from Shir HaShirim Rabbah, a beautiful, expansive commentary on the Song of Songs, a.k.a. the Song of Solomon.

This story features Rabbi Ḥanina, a man known for his diligence. The passage begins with a verse from Proverbs, "Have you seen a man diligent in his labor?" and immediately connects it to Rabbi Ḥanina. He was a man of action, a man of dedication.

So, one day, Rabbi Ḥanina saw all the residents of his town bustling about, preparing to take burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. Now, these weren't just any offerings; they were expressions of devotion, gratitude, and connection to the Divine. And Rabbi Ḥanina felt left out. “Everyone is taking peace offerings to Jerusalem,” he lamented, “and I am not taking anything!”

What could he do?

He didn't just sit around and mope. Rabbi Ḥanina immediately went out to the wilderness, to the ruins on the edge of his city – a place described as uninhabited. (Etz Yosef explains this was an area of the city that had fallen into disrepair). There, he found a stone. Not just any stone, mind you. This was a stone that needed his attention, his care. He smoothed it, chiseled it, and painted it, transforming it into something worthy of being offered. He declared, "I take it upon myself to take it up to Jerusalem!"

But here’s where the real challenge began. He needed help transporting this stone. He sought out laborers, asking, "Will you take this stone up to Jerusalem for me?" And their price? A hundred gold pieces! An impossible sum for Rabbi Ḥanina. He couldn't even afford fifty. Discouraged, the laborers left.

Now, you might expect Rabbi Ḥanina to give up. But that's not the end of the story, not by a long shot. Immediately, the text says, the Holy One, blessed be He, sent five angels disguised as men. They approached Rabbi Ḥanina and offered to carry the stone to Jerusalem for just five sela – a tiny fraction of what the laborers had demanded. There was one condition: Rabbi Ḥanina had to lend a hand.

He agreed, placing his hand on the stone alongside theirs, and in an instant, they were standing in Jerusalem!

Rabbi Ḥanina, overjoyed, sought to pay the angels their wages. But they had vanished. Perplexed, he went to the Chamber of Hewn Stone, the seat of the Great Sanhedrin – the highest Jewish court. (This detail is crucial; he sought guidance from the highest authorities). He asked for direction: what should he do with the money, since he couldn't find the laborers?

The Sages, wise and insightful, declared, "Our rabbi, it appears that ministering angels took the stone to Jerusalem for you." The answer was clear. This wasn't just a simple transaction. It was a divine intervention.

And what did Rabbi Ḥanina do? He gave the wages he had set aside to the Sages, recognizing the miraculous nature of the event.

What does this story tell us? It's not just about a rabbi and a stone. It’s about intention, dedication, and the unexpected ways the Divine can assist us when we strive to do good. It's about the value of contribution, even when our resources seem limited. Rabbi Ḥanina didn't let his lack of funds stop him. He found a way to contribute, and in doing so, he experienced something truly extraordinary.

So, the next time you feel that pang of wanting to do more, remember Rabbi Ḥanina and his stone. Maybe, just maybe, the angels are waiting to lend a hand.