תהלים, פרק קי״ח, פסוק כ״ב

A dramatic reversal of fortune often reveals the true value of what was once discarded. In the world of construction, builders might cast aside a particular stone, judging it to be too small, thin, weak, or lacking in physical appeal [מאירי, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Yet, in a stunning turn of events, this very stone is eventually chosen to be the most critical piece of the structure. It is placed at the highest corner of the wall, revealing itself as a massive, magnificent stone visible from every angle, tasked with stabilizing and upholding the entire building [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The sheer contrast between its initial rejection and its ultimate placement highlights the magnitude of the salvation. The stone does not merely survive its rejection to become an ordinary part of the wall; it is elevated to the absolute peak [אלשיך].

Commentators offer various historical and national perspectives on the identity of this once-despised stone. One approach views it as a metaphor for King David. In his early life, he was the youngest of his brothers and a simple shepherd, looked down upon by the surrounding nations. Ultimately, however, he overcame all obstacles to become a mighty king [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, מאירי]. Another perspective also focuses on royalty but connects the imagery to King Hezekiah. According to this view, the builders represent his domestic opponents who challenged and rejected his leadership. Through a miracle from God, Hezekiah overcame this internal resistance to become the foundational strength of the kingdom [מלבי״ם].

The primary approach among commentators is that the stone symbolizes the entire nation of Israel. Throughout the long period of exile, the Israelites are often viewed as lowly and despised by the nations of the world, who assume they serve no purpose in the global order. Yet, in the future era of salvation, it will become clear that Israel is the essential core of the world's architecture, sustaining and upholding the entire system from the highest point [רש״י, רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מאירי].

Alongside these historical and national explanations, a unique midrashic tradition identifies the stone as Eve, the mother of all humanity and the foundation of the world. In this context, the builders represent Torah scholars who seemingly overlooked her by not including her in the traditional list of the world's most beautiful women. However, this omission was not due to any lack of beauty. Rather, her physical perfection existed on an entirely different scale. Because she was not born of human parents but was formed directly by the hands of God, her beauty was beyond standard human comparison [חנוכת התורה].