Rabbi Avraham Dov of Avritch longed for the Land of Israel while still living abroad. When emissaries from the Holy Land came to his home, he would ask them to speak about the land, its holy cities and its virtues.
“Even Its Stones Are Precious Gems”
One Shabbat, an emissary staying in his home spoke at length in praise of the land. After describing Jerusalem and the sacred places, he concluded that even Israel's stones were not ordinary stones, but precious gems. The words entered the Bat Ayin's heart and strengthened his decision to move there.
After settling in Israel, he met the same emissary and said that he felt the land's holiness, but its stones looked ordinary. The emissary replied that the stones truly shone like gems, but not everyone merited seeing them that way.
Prayer That Changed His Perception
According to tradition, the Bat Ayin entered his room and prayed tearfully to merit seeing the land's spiritual greatness. After some time, he invited his companions to a meal and announced that he had merited seeing the Holy Land's stones shining like gems. He added that even those unable to see this should know that the limitation lies in human perception, rather than in the land's holiness.