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How did the custom of leaving a stone on the grave of a loved one when visiting the cemetery originate?
The source for this custom is that a stone is placed so that when the mourners attend the grave they know that the deceased has been visited by other people. This is a sign of respect to the deceased.
On a deeper level however, the stone is the ultimate symbol of something that has no use. On Shabbat, the stone is the paradigm of a muktsah object. We often relate to ourselves in a very physical way. We spend our lives striving for physical comforts, often to the detriment of our personal, emotional and spiritual growth.
The stone teaches us that in the final reckoning the body is as important as a stone, it is adorned by stones. What is left of us is our good name, character and relationship with God.
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