26:22 “ויעתק משם ויחפר באר אחרת ולא רבו עליה, ויקרא שמה רחבות ויאמר כי עתה הרחיב ד' לנו ופרינו בארץ”
“He relocated from there and dug another well and they did not quarrel over it, so he called its name Rechovos and said, ‘For now Hashem has granted us ample space, and we can be fruitful in the land’.”
Avimelech sent Yitzchok Avinu out of his land. Yitzchok left Avimelech, and encamped in the valley of Gerar. Yitzchok dug anew the wells of water which were dug in the days of his father Avrohom. The Plishtim had clogged up the wells after Avrohom’s death. Yitzchok’s servants dug two wells which the people of Gerar contested. The posuk says, “ויחפרו” – they, the servants of Yitzchok dug. The final one, which was uncontested, the posuk says “ויחפר”- and he dug. Why does the Torah switch the wording from plural form to singular form? Furthermore, why does the Torah give so many details regarding the wells?
“ויריבו רעי גרר עם רעי יצחק” – “The shepherds of Gerar quarreled with the shepherds of Yitzchok.” Why did they fight over the first two wells and not the third one? What was Gerar’s claim to the wells? The shepherds of Yitzchok dug, and found fresh water. Gerar claimed that the water originated from their water source, and therefore they were partners with them in the well. The shepherds of Yitzchok dug another well. They told Gerar to take one well, and they would keep the other well. Gerar said that they did not want to split it that way. Rather they wanted to have a portion in both of the wells; both wells should be shared. This arrangement was not acceptable for Yitzchok. Gerar was a bad influence, and Yitzchok did not want to have any association or partnership with them. Yitzchok went to a completely different water source and dug a well there so that Gerar would not have any claim to it, and they would not have to be partners. (אדרת אליהו)
For one to be successful at Avodas Hashem, one must work at it. At times it may seem difficult; one must continue to forge ahead. They appeared to be reasonable in their request to share both wells, but it was not a good idea. As was the case by the second well, there are times that the Yetzer Hara tries to prevent us from doing what is right. We must look for purity. The wells had to be pure, without evil partners that can bring a person down. One must keep his distance from all negative influences at all costs. This rule applies even if doing so cuts off his water supply, and he must go elsewhere for it.
One may think that creating alliances with evil will bring peace – they are wrong. There can never be peace with evil. Perhaps the third well represents the Ribbono Shel Olam, Himself, Kevayachol, digging the well. If we continue to strive in our Avodas Hashem, Hashem will help us achieve our goals. This will help hasten the coming of the final and everlasting Bais Hamikdash. May we be zoche to see the rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdash במהרה בימינו אמן!
- RABBI YAKOV YOSEF SCHECHTER
