855. Wood and Stone

“She wept for her father and her mother for one month.” Rabbi Eliezer: truly her father and mother. Rabbi Akiva—this is idol-worship, as was said, “They tell the tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to the stone, ‘You gave birth to us’” (Yevamot 48b).

“Tree” means ideas. One who says that his own ideas helped him be able to walk on the path, it is as though he says, “My power and the might of my hand has gotten me these riches.”

Even [stone] comes from the word Havana [understanding]. By understanding the words of the Creator, he has the strength to advance in the work. Otherwise, he will have no strength.