Well Scenes

Found 15 Search results

Bnei Yisrael - the New Generation
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
Why is Moshe and Aaron’s response to the complaint at Mei Meriva different than their response to other complaints? Apparently Moshe and Aharon had expected the Second Generation to act differently than the generation they had led out of Egypt. God responds to the complaint by sending snakes to attack the nation, and as a solution commands the creation of the Bronze Serpent. Bnei Yisrael eventually learn to believe in God, and finally act independently of their leaders, when they sing the Song of the Well, and conquer the land of Sihon.
The Well Scene: A Betrothal
Dr. Yael Ziegler
This shiur follows the theme of a man from a foreign land meeting a woman at a well, and their meeting resulting in marriage. We will explore the unique qualities of each story. Ruth and Boaz do not meet at a well, but their unusual meeting does lead to marriage. What makes the story unique is that the female protagonist in the story is from a foreign land, instead of the man, and she is the true heroine of the story.
Ruth and Boaz at the Well: Betrothal Scenes and their Meaning
Part 4
Dr. Yael Ziegler |
This shiur examines the Biblical type-scene of the well as a meeting place for future spouses, with a view to analyzing the form of the scene appearing in Ruth. Through a comparison of common and missing elements among the Biblical “well-meetings”, the character traits of the personalities in the various stories are revealed.
The Story of Avraham's Servant
Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 minutes
The search for a wife for Yitzchak highlights the importance of finding key aspects of Abraham's personality in Rivka. But the narrative also contains repetition and seemingly extraneous details—why? There is an intricate interplay among the structure, content, and subtext (or agenda). This story is a key part of the "forefather" stories, and foreshadows nationhood issues for future generations.
The Legacy of Sarah
Rabbi Alex Israel | 35 minutes
Parashat Hayyei Sarah is comprised of three main stories: purchasing the cave, finding a wife for Isaac, and Abraham’s third marriage. Why is the Machpela purchase so lengthy? This shiur examines parshanut, literary and philosophic approaches. It emerges that this episode allows Abraham to establish roots, further ensuring that Isaac continues the legacy and values of Sarah.
Benei Yisrael: The New Generation [audio]
Rabbi Amnon Bazak
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ו | | 14 minutes
What is the meaning of Moshe and Aharon's silent reaction to the nation's complaint at Mei Meriva, and what does this tell us about the nation's evolving relationship with God at the time?
The Meeting at the Well
Rabbi Elchanan Samet
Why is it that the well serves as a choice site for meeting future wives in three biblical stories (Yitzchak, Yaakov and Moshe)? What is the role of the well in the greater narrative of Yaakov's life? This article examines the stories surrounding the well and suggests that the well serves as a focus of intensive human activity because it is the source of life for the people of the city and for their livestock. Hence it is at the well that we are able to recognize people's social attributes.

In each one of these three stories, the well highlights the principal trait of one partner in the eyes of the other (or his agent): Rivka's trait of perfect kindness in the eyes of Avraham's servant, Yaakov's love and strength in the eyes of Rachel, and Moshe's trait of justice and moral sensitivity together with a readiness to act as perceived by the daughters of Re'uel and their father.

The article also explores the symbolism of the well as the love between Yaakov and Rachel, and as a foreshadowing of their life journey together.
Finding a Marriage Partner at the Well
Rabbi David Silverberg
Rivka at the Well: Patient Kindness
Rabbi David Silverberg
Why Would Anyone Stop Up Wells?
Rabbi David Silverberg
The Ladder and the Well - Yaakov's Journey to Haran
Dr. Yonatan Feintuch | 53 minutes
The book of Bereishit tells of Yaakov's journey to Haran. In chapters 27-28 we learn about the different motivations that drove Jacob to Haran, which may be regarded as two different aspects of the same journey. However, literary analysis of the chapters reveals a fascinating literary interplay between events that supposedly belong to separate aspects of the journey. This shiur compares and contrasts these aspects of Yaakov's journey and examines the interaction between them. These chapters have a broad impact on the way in which the Torah tries to paint the life, character and destiny of Yaakov.
The Achievement of Yitzchak Avinu
Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ג | |
Aside from the fact that he is Avraham’s son and Yaakov’s father, what do we view as Yitzhak’s achievement that grants him the stature of being an “Av” (forefather)? To answer this, we have to turn to Bereisheet Chapter 26, where the events of Yitzhak’s life really begin. We examine the strong references to and parallels with Avraham’s life, and discover the differences that provide Yitzhak with his unique character traits and talents.
Wells, Journeys, and Marriages: Hidden Patterns in Biblical Stories
Dr. Yael Ziegler | Hour and 10 minutes
The well betrothal scene is a common type scene in the Tanakh. Through a careful examination of each betrothal scene in light of the others, we can identify each of their unique features in order to more deeply understand each of the stories, the identities of the characters, and the legacy that emerges.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Parshat Vayetze Part 1: Jacob's Ladder
Debra Geller | 29 minutes
Upon leaving Be’er Sheva, Yaakov encounters two seemingly unrelated incidents- the dream of the ladder in Beit El, and meeting Rachel at the well. Through an examination of the text and focusing on the key words of the perek we can notice that these incidents are both instrumental in forming Yaakov’s character.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Parshat Vayeitze - When Yaacov Met Rachel
Rabbi Yaacov Steinman | 30 minutes
Rachel is coming with the flocks, and when Yaakov saw her, he rolled the stone from above the well and watered the sheep of Lavan. Three times in one verse it is mentioned that she is the daughter of Lavan, brother of his mother. What accounts for this repetition? Why is there a need to say that it Lavan is the brother of his mother?

This story parallels the story of Rivka and the servant of Avraham, with the watering of flocks. But Yaakov -perhaps deliberately -takes the place of Rivka in an act of hessed to Rachel. It is the same but opposite model of theforefather meeting the foremother.