As part of an ongoing discussion regarding the effects of various constructions and substances on adjoining properties, and the requirements of neighbors to each other, the Gemara on amud aleph noted a property of sand:  “It heats hot items and cools cold items”, which has implications about whether it would cause damage to a neighboring wall. 

 

Sand is fascinating and therefore the subject of symbolic meaning and projections in our tradition. The Jewish people are compared to sand (Bereishis 22:17) in many qualities that we shall see, including what it stated above. Chashukei Chemed on this daf discusses a question regarding a Kehillah which had to choose between two rabbis, one who was more learned, and the other who was known for his passion and charisma. He ruled that the rabbi who has more passion and charisma should be given precedence, because the Jewish people are just like the sand and they become reactive to their environment. If the environment is cool, they make it  cooler. If the environment is hot, they make it hotter. An engaging Rabbi will inspire them.

 

There are other features of sand as well, such as what Pesikta Rabbasi 11:1 states: Why does the verse compare Jews to stars and also sand? God knew that the Jews would sin and end up in exile suffering from numerous extinction threats. However, just as sand is resilient and can be dug up, but the next day the hole fills up all over again, so too the Jews would bounce back from whatever despotic decree that would be thrown against them.

 

One final thought of my own regarding the Jewish people and their comparison to sand. Even though sand is composed of tiny, indivisible, distinct grains, it adds up into a formidable barrier against the powerful ocean. So too the Jewish people, though we are stubborn distinct individuals, at the same time we are capable of working together and achieving astounding feats.   

 

Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation cool

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