Genesis 26 Three Wells
Dear Ones our exploration in Genesis begins with A famine like the one Abraham and Sarah experienced in Genesis 12.10. It forced Isaac to return to the Valley of Gerar. Abraham dwelt in the plains of Mamre close to Hebron for about 25 years until the destruction of Sedom. – Genesis 20.1 – Then, at 99 years of age, Abraham moved to the Valley of Gerar, where his servants dug three wells.
2023 FC There was a famine in Eretz Canaan. Abraham and Sarah go to Egypt, Genesis 12.10.
2048 FC Isaac was born in Gerar.
2074 FC, they returned to Hebron.
2085 FC Abraham is instructed by the Lord to offer Isaac as an offering.
2088 FC Isaac marries Rebecca by agreement.
2108 FC Esau and Jacob are born.
2123 FC Abraham dies – Sometime before Abraham’s death, the Philistines stopped up the wells and filled them with earth. Esau sells Jacob his birthright.
2148 FC Esau marries two women of Canaan, Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite, Genesis 26.34. They made life bitter for Isaac and for Rebekah, Genesis 26.35.
They dug the same wells as they did years earlier for Abraham. They named the wells with the same names given originally by Abraham. The herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with them over Esek, the first well {meaning quarrel} and over Stinah, the second well {obstruction} but over the third well, Rehoboth {meaning wide spaces}, they did not quarrel. Isaac said, regarding the third well, “For now the Lord has Granted us ample space, and we can be fruitful in the land.” Genesis 26:22
Isaac’s servants dug the same wells as they did years earlier for Abraham. They named the wells with the names given originally by Abraham. The three wells were for everyone’s benefit.
Genesis 26.15
For all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham, his father, the Philistines had stopped them up and filled them with earth.
Genesis 26.18
And Isaac dug again the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham, his father; for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. Isaac called their names after the names by which his father had called them.
Genesis 26.15 and 18 are similar.
The Torah is like a well one has to dig down deep, sometimes even hundreds of feet, to reach good, clean, pure water to refresh our souls.
Wells Of Good Water
Years ago, I was invited to learn the halacha of matzoh baking for Pesach / Passover by a dear friend, Rabbi Mordechai Twerski, to participate as a mashgiach in the matzoh baking factory in Denver. One evening, just at dusk, we met at what used to be called the Jewish Consumption Relief Society complex. Many years ago, Jewish people diagnosed with tuberculosis received medical assistance there. It is now the American Cancer Research clinic. I met Rabbi Twerski and several other men to draw water from this old Rocky Mountain artesian well. Rabbi Twerski shared warm feelings with us when he came there with his father, Ha Rav Shlomo Twerski, zt’l, to draw water for the matzoh baking factory. This well is about 800 feet deep. The water tastes absolutely fantastic.
Wells Of Bad Water
Years ago, I was invited by a man I dearly love and appreciate, Rabbi Yaakov Meyer, then the Director of Community Services of Yeshiva Toras Chaim. Now, the Rav of Ahavas Yisroel. He offered outreach classes on Denver’s east side. He invited me to attend, I did. That became a habit for years. On my first visit, I was shocked, even seriously appalled. The outreach center classes were conducted in this field in an old, dilapidated single-wide trailer… but it served its purpose. On arriving, I was instructed, DON’T DRINK THE WATER. Upon visiting the restroom area, the bathroom facilities were grotesquely stained with this contaminated water. Years later, I learned the property had two wells, which we would term “shallow wells,” meaning they were easily contaminated by surface water.
Now, the point to all of this is Abraham, Isaac, and their servants did not dig a well 800 feet deep, but they searched until they found good water, clean water, pure water, refreshing to the soul. Water that would restore one, sustain one, like the Torah flowing from the Holy Temple. It was not tainted surface water. It was indeed environmentally pure and wholesome. Just as it took work to dig those wells, it takes much work for us to reach the Paz {pure gold} of Torah.
As we journey towards Shabbat, may we each take comfort in knowing our Spirit / Soul is refreshed by the living water that flows from the Torah. May we receive rest, comfort, unity, peace, loving kindness, good health, financial success, and a wonderful week and a beautiful Shabbat.
Blessings and Peace!
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
