Footnote 2 – Jacob’s Terrible Burden

In one instance other than the life of Jacob, a matzevah does appear in a positive light. It is in the account of the ratification of the Sinai covenant, where we are told (Exodus 24:4) that Moses set up twelve matzevot at the foot of the mountain. But even here it seems to be connected with Jacob (= Israel), for these matzevot are intended to correspond to the tribes of Israel, that is, to Jacob’s twelve sons.