Hallel Yom Yerushalayim: Paragraph Two
Jerusalem rebuilt will be greater than any miracles we witnessed, even in Egypt and at the Splitting of the Sea; Nature will change as it did when the rock supplied water. Our nature will change, and we will experience and know that we, so transformed, have the power to transform nature:
“Remember, O God, against the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem; who said, ‘Raze it! Raze it! Even to its foundation (Psalms 138:7).” But God in the future will build the foundations of Jerusalem out of another substance which will prevail against all; out of sapphires, as it says, “And I will lay your foundations with sapphires (Isaiah 60:11).” For these form firm and solid foundations without any weakness such as was in the former foundations.
Over those stones of the former foundations other nations could prevail, inasmuch as they lacked the Supernal Light; but these will possess the Illumination from the Supernal Light and will be embedded in the abyss so that none will be able to lossen them.
These are the sapphires that will shed their Light Above and Below.
Nor shall we think that the former foundations will then be discarded, for it is written, “Behold, I will set your stones in Pukh,” the term ‘set’ marbitz, signifying the repair of the old broken stones.
These old stones were all hidden and treasured up by the Holy One, Blessed is He, without the loss of a single stone, and when God will again establish Jerusalem in its place, the ancient foundation stones will return to their former positions; and no evil eye will be able to rest on them. (Zohar II: Pikudei 240a)
Rabbi Chiya ben Yoseph said: A time will come when the just will break through the soil and rise up in Jerusalem, for it is said in Scripture, “And they will blossom out of the city like grass of the earth (Psalms 72:16),” and by ‘city’ only Jerusalem can be meant for it is said in Scripture, “For I will defend this city. (II Kings 19:34).” (Ketubot 11b)