2021/5781
Parashat VaYeitzei presents the story of Ya'akov meeting Rachel by the well. This is not the first time that someone finds their wife, (or a wife for someone else) and it will not be the last. Earlier, in Parashat Chayei Sarah, Eliezer finds a wife for Ya'akov. In Parashat Vayeitzei, Ya'akov finds his wife, and in Parashat Shemot, Moshe finds his wife by a well. The stories of Ya'akov Avinu and Moshe Rabbeinu respectively appear on this surface as classic love stories. There was a huge rock covering the well, and no one could move it. But then the great strong Ya'akov emerges to save the day, remove the rock, and allow everyone to drink. There were a bunch of intimidating shepherds blocking the girls from the well, but Moshe came to their defense and drove off the brute shepherds. Nonetheless, there is another layer to these two stories.
First, let us focus on Moshe Rabbeinu. The Torah relates that Moshe Rabbeinu was fleeing Paroh after killing the Mitzri and then arrives at a well in Midyan. “וַיִּבְרַ֤ח מֹשֶׁה֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔ה וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב בְּאֶֽרֶץ־מִדְיָ֖ן וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב עַֽל־הַבְּאֵֽר,” “Moses fled from Pharaoh. He arrived in the land of Midian, and sat down beside a well” (Shemot 2:15). Rashi explains that Moshe came to the well just as Ya'akov had – to find a wife (Rashi: s.v. וישב על הבאר). But perhaps there was another reason for Moshe coming to the well. Moshe was fleeing Mitzrayim because he had killed a man. Moshe saw an injustice and took matters into his own hands. Although this is completely justified, since the Mitzrim perceive him as a crimial he must flee.. Upon arrival at the well, Moshe Rabbeinu was able to demonstrate his character. He was not a murderer like the Mitzrim thought, rather he was a kind person who stands up for people in distress.
Now onto Ya'akov Avinu. There are two components of Ya'akov’s story that reflect his identity and character. The rock that was on the well was one that was so big that it took the strength of many shepherds to remove. Ya'akov, however, removed it by himself. Rashi, quoting the Midrash, adds that he took off the rock, “כְּאדם שֶׁמַּעֲבִיר אֶת הַפְּקָק מֵעַל פִּי צְלוֹחִית,” “Like a person who removes a plug from the mouth of a flask” (Rashi on Bereishit: 29:10, s.v. ויגש יעקב ויגל). Where does this strength come from? Was Ya'akov Avinu born that strong? Did he visit a gym during his fourteen years at the Yehsiva of Shem and Eiver?
The Alter of Slabodka discovered an answer in the Piyutim of Tefilat HaGeshem. The Piyut states regarding Ya'akov Avinu, “יִחַד לֵב וְגָל אֶבֶן מִפִּי בְאֵר מַיִם כְּנֶאֱבַק לו שר בָּלוּל מֵאֵשׁ וּמִמַּיִם,” “He dedicated his heart and rolled a stone off the mouth of a well of water, as when he was wrestled by an angel made of fire and water.” Ya'akov defeating Eisav’s angel involved marshaling spiritual strength while lifting the rock manifested physical strength. What was this spiritual and physical strength with which Ya'akov Avinu was blessed? It was his “Yichud HaLev,” “Dedication of his heart.” He dedicated his heart to emulating Hashem’s kindness by helping the people drink. Ya'akov’s dedication to Hashem gave him both spiritual as well as physical strength to defeat the Malach and remove the rock.
Lastly, after Ya'akov Avinu sees Rachel Imeinu at the well, “וַיֵּֽבְךְּ,” “he wept'' (Bereishit 29:11). Rashi there says that Ya'akov Avinu cried because he was unable to bring her any gifts (Rashi: s.v. וַיֵּֽבְךְּ). Ya'akov knew that she was “the one” and thus deserving of gifts but his inability to do this kindness for her made him weep. There is a lesson that can be learned from these wells. They show us that they are kind people emulating Hashem.
While there is no well following us today, we should live as if the well is there. We should strive to emulate Hashem’s kindness and to show people the kind character of Am Yisrael.