HaRav Shmuel Rabinowitz, speaking at the ceremony
losing a historical cycle, an ancient stone weighing 5 tons that had fallen during the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, was restored to its rightful place. For many years the stone was on display at the office of the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv. In a moving ceremony, the stone was restored to rest alongside the other stones.
The stone was restored in response to a request made by the rabbi of the Kotel, HaRav Shmuel Rabinowitz, to the Minister of Defense Israel Katz who ordered the return of the stone.
This was part of a broader initiative of the Chief Rabbinate Council and the rav of the Kotel, who called in the past year for the return of all the ancient stones to their natural place. The stones are placed in a genizah in the area that is fenced off and marked with signage explaining the sanctity of the place.
Speaking during the ceremony marking the return of the stone, HaRav Rabinowitz said, "The stones of the Kotel and not just children, they carry the soul of the Jewish people, the pain of the exile and the joy of return. Their natural place is here, in their original home. Return of the stone is not just a physical return, but a reconnection to the deep foundations that support the entire nation."
Israel Katz, the Minister of Defense, said, "We stand opposite these historic stones that survived all the events and different rulers that passed over his holy land. In these historic days, when we are zoche to see the salvation of Hashem, and when the people of Israel are zoche to defeat the enemies who rise up against us to destroy us."
Rabbi Porush recalled the promise of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, "Chas vesholom that Torah will not be forgotten from Israel, as it says `It will not be forgotten from its descendants.'"
The director of the Antiquities Authority, Eli Ascozido, said that the Authority and Minister Amichai Eliahu, "are committed, in matters of holiness, to respect Jewish tradition in accordance with the rulings of the Chief Rabbis, who said that the stones of the Kotel have a special holiness. Thus the Authority will work to bring all the stones back for eternal genizah next to the other stones."
