Azahari Hassim
Would Jews revere Jacob’s stone if it had been handed down through the generations from Jacob? What is the similarity between the black stone (Hajar al Aswad) in Mecca and the stone that Jacob used as a pillow in Genesis 28, verses 18 and 22? What is the theological importance from the viewpoint of Abrahamic theology?
To answer this question, we need to consider several aspects of religious history, tradition, and theology. Let’s break it down into parts:
1. Jacob’s Stone in Jewish tradition:
If Jacob’s stone had been handed down through generations, it’s likely that Jews would indeed revere it. Judaism has a strong tradition of venerating physical objects associated with important biblical figures and events. For example, the Western Wall in Jerusalem is revered as the last remaining structure of the Second Temple. However, there is no historical evidence or tradition of Jacob’s stone being preserved or passed down in Jewish culture.
2. Similarity between the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) and Jacob’s stone:
There are some interesting parallels between these two stones:
A. Divine association: Both stones are associated with divine encounters. Jacob’s stone was used as a pillow when he had his dream of a ladder to heaven, while the Black Stone is believed by Muslims to have been sent down by Allah from heaven.
B. Ritual significance: Jacob anointed his stone with oil and set it up as a pillar, declaring it to be God’s house (Genesis 28:18,22). The Black Stone is a focal point of the Hajj pilgrimage, where pilgrims attempt to kiss or touch it.
C. Covenant symbolism: Jacob’s stone became a symbol of his covenant with God, while the Black Stone is seen by some Muslims as a symbol of the covenant between Allah and humanity.
3. Theological Importance from the Viewpoint of Abrahamic Theology:
A. Covenantal Significance:
Both stones are linked to the covenantal promises made by God to the Abrahamic patriarchs, which are foundational to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Jacob’s stone marks the place where God reaffirmed the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Hajar al-Aswad is connected to the Abrahamic tradition through its association with the Kaaba, the house of worship built by Abraham and Ishmael.
B. Pilgrimage and Worship:
Both stones are associated with significant pilgrimage sites and ritual practices within their respective Abrahamic traditions. Jacob’s stone became a place of worship and a destination for pilgrimage for the Israelites. The Hajar al-Aswad is a central focus of the Hajj pilgrimage, which is a fundamental obligation for Muslims.
In summary, if Jacob’s stone had been handed down through generations, it would likely be revered by Jews in a similar manner to how the Hajar al-Aswad is venerated by Muslims, as both stones represent profound theological and covenantal significance within the broader context of Abrahamic faiths.
“Jacob’s ladder represents the bridge between heaven and earth. His dream at Bethel shows that God is present in the world, and that human beings can reach spiritual heights through devotion and covenant.”
— Kuzari, Part I, Chapter 95
Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi (1075–1141), author of The Kuzari, viewed Jacob as a symbol of spiritual ascension, tying his visions and experiences directly to Israel’s national and religious identity.
[18] Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it.
[19] He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.
[20] Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear
[21] so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God
[22] and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth. ”
Abraham and the House of God in Jerusalem and Mecca
Did Moses and Abraham know that the temple would be built in Jerusalem?
The Bible does not explicitly state that Moses and Abraham knew about the future construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. However, both figures are significant in the Jewish tradition regarding the covenant with God and the eventual establishment of a central place of worship.
1. Abraham: He is often associated with the land of Canaan, which includes Jerusalem. The biblical narrative highlights that he established altars and worshiped God in various locations, symbolizing a connection to the land that would later become significant in Jewish history.
2. Moses: He led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Law at Mount Sinai. His connection to the Tabernacle, a mobile sanctuary, is significant, as it laid the groundwork for central worship in the future. The establishment of the Temple in Jerusalem is often viewed as a fulfillment of the promise of a permanent dwelling place for God, but there is no direct indication that Moses was aware of the future Temple.
In Jewish tradition, the idea of a Temple in Jerusalem is connected to prophecies and promises made later in the biblical narrative, particularly during the time of King David and Solomon. Therefore, while Moses and Abraham played crucial roles in the religious history of the Israelites, there is no definitive evidence that Moses and Abraham had knowledge of the Temple’s future construction.
How is Abraham linked to the Kaaba (House of God) in Mecca in Islam?
In Islam, Abraham is deeply connected to the Kaaba in Mecca, which is regarded as the House of God. According to Islamic tradition:
1. Construction of the Kaaba: It is believed that Abraham, along with his son Ishmael, was instructed by God to build the Kaaba as a place of worship. The Kaaba is considered the first house of worship dedicated to the monotheistic belief in one God.
2. Covenant and Submission: Abraham is viewed as a key figure in Islam for his unwavering submission to God’s will and his role as a prophet. His dedication to monotheism is foundational to Islamic beliefs.
3. Pilgrimage (Hajj): The Kaaba is the focal point of the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims from around the world perform rituals around the Kaaba, commemorating the actions of Abraham and Ishmael.
4. Significance of the Black Stone: The Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), set into the corner of the Kaaba, is said to have been given to Abraham by the angel Gabriel. It is revered by Muslims as a sacred object.
Overall, Abraham’s legacy as a prophet and the father of monotheism links him to the Kaaba (House of God), reinforcing the importance of the site in Islamic faith and practice.
Abraham and the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem
Why was the Jewish temple so vital to be attached to the person of Abraham?
The Jewish temple was so vital to be attached to the person of Abraham because Abraham was the founder of Judaism and the first person to make a covenant with God. The covenant was a promise that God made to Abraham and his descendants, that they would be God’s chosen people and inherit the land of Canaan, also known as the Promised Land. The temple was the place where the Jews worshipped God and offered sacrifices, as well as the symbol of their connection to God and the Promised Land. The temple was also believed to be the dwelling place of God’s presence on earth, also known as the Shekhinah. Therefore, the temple was a vital link between Abraham, the father of Judaism, and God, the creator and protector of Judaism.
Did Abraham know that the temple would be built on the site where he almost sacrificed his son?
There is no definitive answer to whether Abraham knew that the temple would be built on the site where he almost sacrificed his son. Different traditions and interpretations have different views on this question. Here are some possible perspectives:
According to Jewish tradition, Abraham was aware of the future significance of Mount Moriah, as he named it “the Lord will provide” (Genesis 22 verse 14), implying that God would provide a place for His presence and worship there. Some Jewish sources also suggest that Abraham saw a vision of the future temple when he ascended the mountain with Isaac.
According to Christian tradition, Abraham did not know the exact location of the future temple, but he had faith that God would fulfill His promises to him and his descendants. Some Christian sources also see Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac as a foreshadowing of God’s sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross.
According to Islamic tradition, Abraham did not sacrifice Isaac, but Ishmael, his firstborn son by Hagar. Muslims believe that Abraham and Ishmael built the Kaaba, the house of God, in Mecca, which is the holiest site in Islam. Muslims do not consider the Temple Mount in Jerusalem as the place where Abraham offered his son, but rather as the place where Muhammad ascended to heaven during his night journey.
Holy Quran 17:1
سُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ
Glory to Him who journeyed His servant by night, from the Sacred Mosque, to the Farthest Mosque (the Temple Mount in Jerusalem), whose precincts We have blessed, in order to show him of Our wonders. He is the Listener, the Beholder.
Muhammad’s Night Journey and the Holy City of Jerusalem
It is believed that Muhammad’s Night Journey serves as a divine sign, indicating the abrogation of Jewish ownership of the Holy City of Jerusalem and its transfer to Muslims. How is this argument explained?
Some scholars and Muslim believers argue that the Night Journey symbolizes the transfer of religious authority from the Jews to the Muslims. They contend that because the Prophet Muhammad traveled to Jerusalem and then ascended to the heavens, it signifies a divine affirmation of Islam as the final and true religion, superseding earlier religious traditions.
In this interpretation, it is believed that during the Night Journey, Muhammad received divine confirmation that Jerusalem would be a significant place for Muslims. The transfer of ownership from Jews to Muslims is seen as a symbol of the shift of religious authority from Judaism to Islam.
This interpretation is often associated with the concept of abrogation (naskh) in Islamic law. Abrogation, guided by the belief in progressive revelation, holds that certain earlier rulings or traditions may have been replaced or superseded by subsequent divine revelations. Some Muslims see Muhammad’s Night Journey as a momentous event that signifies the transition from Judaism to Islam as the true faith, with Jerusalem being a central focal point in this transition.
ABRAHAMIC THEOLOGY 