The community was without water, and they joined against Moses and Aaron.(20:2)
Rabbeinu Bachya says: “The congregation had no water.” As soon as Miriam died, the well, which had traveled with the Israelites all these years, ceased providing water. The water that the people had enjoyed all these years was due to the merit of Miriam, who had stood by watching what would happen to her infant brother when he was in a basket in the reeds at the edge of the river (Shemos 2, 4). Hashem had rewarded her for that act of kindness by making her the provider of water for Moshe's people. The people had not appreciated this until the well ceased with Miriam’s death.
The difficulty is: What does water have to do with their joining against Moshe and Aharon? Another difficulty is that the Yidden should have realized that Hashem gave them water untul now, and there was no reason to doubt that Hashem would not provide them further. It can be implied according to what the Gemarra (Pesachim 49b) says: It was taught in a baraisa that Rabbi Akiva said: When I was an Am Haaretz ignoramus, I said: Who will give me a Torah scholar so that I will bite him like a donkey? His students said to him, Master, say that you would bite him like a dog! He said to them: I specifically used that wording, as this one, a donkey, bites and breaks bones, and that one, a dog, bites but does not break bones.
Rabbi Akiva is teaching us that the hatred of the Am Haaretz toward a Torah scholar is huge. The Maarsha on the Daf explains that even though one has to watch out for an Am Haaretz, it is still a duty to befriend them and try to bring them closer to Hashem. The goal of learning Torah is not just to acquire divine wisdom but also to connect with Hashem. Although every mitzvah connects one with Hashem, it is specifically through learning Torah that one’s mind solidifies our bond with Hashem. Learning Torah can infuse meaning and perspective into one’s life. It gives a person the right sense of mind. When it comes to quarrels, most of them are petty, and the thinking man will avoid them. The Maharal of Prague writes many times in his Seforim that learning Torah is the best medicine to correct the crookedness of the mind.
We need not go further than what Dovid Hamelech writes in two powerful verses on the importance of learning Torah:
In Tehilim 119:7, I shall thank You with an upright heart when I learn the judgments of Your righteousness. Dovid expresses his intention to thank Hashem with a sincere heart as he learns the laws of righteousness, emphasizing the importance of thinking honestly and straightforwardly. Dovid acknowledges that following the Torah has led him to the right path in life, for which he is grateful.
Another verse, 105, Your words are a lamp for my foot, and light for my path. This emphasizes that Hashem's words illuminate the correct path to take. Dovid stresses the Torah's role as a guiding light, directing him towards the path of truth and righteousness.
The Midrash Rabba Vayikra 35:1 elaborates on the verse, highlighting the significance of following Hashem's statutes, observing His commandments, and putting them into practice. (Vayikra 26:3). “If you follow My statutes” – that is what is written: “I considered my ways, and I returned my feet to Your testimonies.” (Tehilim 119:59). David said: ‘Master of the universe, each and every day, I would calculate and say: I am going to this place and that residence, but my legs would take me to synagogues and study halls.’ That is what is written: “And I direct my feet to you.” The Ohr Hachaim on this Posuk has 42 insights. Many of them are on the word Ek®¥l ¥z.
The Gemarra Taanis 7a and baba Kamma 17a states: And Rabbi Chanina bar Idi said: Why are matters of Torah likened to water, as it is written: “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come for water” (Yeshaya 55:1)? Water is referred to here as Torah: This may be may be the insight: They did not learn Torah:, therefore they quarreled.
With all this said, we can now say a powerful and beautiful insight to a very familiar Posuk in Tehilim 29:11 Hashem shall grant strength to His people; Hashem shall bless His people with peace. The word means Torah. Hashem gave us the Torah, and the outcome would be By learning Torah you would refrain from disputes and be at peace with everyone. A person who learns and toils in Torah has a different outlook in life and is connected to Hashem.
(Yehuda Z Klitnick)
