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Shalom
and Bracha!
This Shabbat
immediately follows Rosh Chodesh Kislev and we read the portion
of Toldot. The portion begins with the birth of Yaakov and Esav
and concludes with Yitzchak blessing Yaakov and sending him to
his uncle Lavan in order to find a wife.
One subject
that is frequently mentioned in this week’s portion is the
digging of wells. First the Torah mentions that Yitzchak redug
the wells that his father had dug but had been filled with earth
by the Philistines. Thereafter the Torah relates that his
servants dug three new wells brimming with living waters. Local
shepherds contested two of the wells that the servants dug, but
the third was uncontested, which served as a sign of Hashem’s
blessing for prosperity and security. Whatever the Torah tells
us is a lesson in our service of Hashem. We must therefore seek
to understand the significance of digging wells.
The Ramban
explains that the three wells represent the three
Temples
in Yerushalayim: the Temples of Solomon, of Ezra, and of
Moshiach. The contesting of the first two wells represents the
destruction of the first two
Temples,
and the third well being uncontested represents the eternity of
the third
Temple.
We must seek to understand the significance of the parable of
wells to represent the
Holy
Temple.
Dry ground
and rocks appear to be barren, lacking any sign of life. By
digging deep, we can reveal a well, a source of life. The deeper
one digs, the more and purer water one reveals. Once uncovered,
the source doesn’t need to be replenished. Unlike rainwater,
which must come from the sky, spring water needs only to be
revealed. In service of Hashem, this parallels revealing the G-dly
nature that is within each person and within every aspect of the
world.
Everything
in the world was created by Hashem for a purpose and therefore
is essentially G-dly. Every person possesses a soul and
therefore is essentially good. Sometimes, the goodness and the
G-dliness are hidden beneath a thick and coarse exterior. Our
purpose in the world is to reveal that goodness and that G-dliness.
The deeper we dig, the more good and G-dliness we reveal. By
doing so, we make each individual and the world as a whole a
dwelling place for G-d. This is the central concept of the
construction of the
Temple,
creating a dwelling place for Hashem as the Torah says, “Make
for Me a Holy place and I will dwell amongst you.”
When we have
begun to reveal the goodness and G-dliness in the world, but not
finished the job, there is contention. When we have finished the
job, on the contrary, there will be perfect consent and peace.
This year is a Hakhel year, a year of gathering. Through uniting
in gatherings to strengthen Torah, we have a special power to
bring forth this consent and peace.
The Baal
Shem Tov ascended to the Heavenly chamber of Moshiach and asked
him when he will arrive. Moshiach answered him “when your
wellsprings (The Baal Shem Tov’s teachings) will spread
outward.” The month of Kislev is the month of the revelation of
Chassidut. May it be Hashem’s will that we will immediately
merit the coming of Moshiach.
Shabbat
Shalom,
Rabbi Biggs |
