Rosh Pina

One of our favorite places to visit when we are in northern Israel is Rosh Pina. The old neighborhood, founded in 1882, is on top of a hill. It is a quaint collection of sturdy stone buildings. These restored structures are now homes, restaurants, and art galleries. There is also a synagogue, which was the first public building erected in Rosh Pina. 

This quiet village is never busy or overcrowded when we visit and we always enjoy walking along its meandering cobblestone streets and through the nearby park. The clean, fresh air and natural setting is refreshing. Down the hill is the modern area of Rosh Pina, still very nice. There you find shopping centers and more restaurants. 

Rosh Pina has quite a few zimmers (guest houses) but we usually stay in Amirim when are in the Galilee region of Israel. So, we just go to Rosh Pina to visit for a few hours and to enjoy a good Israeli meal.   

Rosh Pina received its name from Psalm 118:22, which says, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” Rosh Pina means “head of the corner” or “cornerstone.”

Although Rosh Pina does not appear to have a link to a biblical city, its name indicates that its early Romanian-Jewish founders desired to build something lasting. They succeeded, for the stone structures they erected so long ago are now highly prized real estate, valued for their stability, ambiance, and historical significance. 

There is a simple yet powerful lesson we can learn from the name of this village. In the world of architecture, the cornerstone is the first stone that is laid. All other stones are laid in reference to the cornerstone. A cornerstone determines the direction in which a structure will be built.

Jesus referenced Psalm 118:22, revealing Himself as the stone which the builders rejected (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17). Many people foolishly reject Jesus. As a result, their lives are unstable and lack God-ordained purpose.

To Christians, Jesus Christ should be our cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20; I Peter 2:6-7). He is the one who we should build our lives on. He will determine the direction we should go. He is solid and stable and trustworthy.

We must always be cognizant of the value of Jesus Christ being the cornerstone of our lives. We should not reject Him but rather invite Him to set the course for our lives. As we contemplate what we should talk about, think about, and what we should do, we should always look to Jesus and never the world as our reference point as we erect the structure of our lives. This will guarantee that we are building something worthwhile that will stand the test of time.

Rosh Pina – Cornerstone – is a lovely place to visit. But even more lovely is a life well built upon Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone.