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Genesis 29:2 - Divine meeting at well?

Genesis 29:2 - בראשית 29:2

Hebrew Text

וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה בְאֵר בַּשָּׂדֶה וְהִנֵּה־שָׁם שְׁלֹשָׁה עֶדְרֵי־צֹאן רֹבְצִים עָלֶיהָ כִּי מִן־הַבְּאֵר הַהִוא יַשְׁקוּ הָעֲדָרִים וְהָאֶבֶן גְּדֹלָה עַל־פִּי הַבְּאֵר׃

English Translation

And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well’s mouth.

Transliteration

Va'yar ve'hine be'er ba'sadeh ve'hine sham shlosha edrei-tzon rov'tzim aleyha ki min-habe'er hahi yashku ha'adarim ve'ha'even gdola al-pi habe'er.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּ֞רְא וְהִנֵּ֧ה בְאֵ֣ר בַּשָּׂדֶ֗ה וְהִנֵּה־שָׁ֞ם שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה עֶדְרֵי־צֹאן֙ רֹבְצִ֣ים עָלֶ֔יהָ כִּ֚י מִן־הַבְּאֵ֣ר הַהִ֔וא יַשְׁק֖וּ הָעֲדָרִ֑ים וְהָאֶ֥בֶן גְּדֹלָ֖ה עַל־פִּ֥י הַבְּאֵֽר׃
וַיַּ֞רְא וְהִנֵּ֧ה בְאֵ֣ר בַּשָּׂדֶ֗ה וְהִנֵּה־שָׁ֞ם שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה עֶדְרֵי־צֹאן֙ רֹבְצִ֣ים עָלֶ֔יהָ כִּ֚י מִן־הַבְּאֵ֣ר הַהִ֔וא יַשְׁק֖וּ הָעֲדָרִ֑ים וְהָאֶ֥בֶן גְּדֹלָ֖ה עַל־פִּ֥י הַבְּאֵֽר׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse (Bereshit 29:2) describes Yaakov's arrival in Charan, where he encounters a well in the field with three flocks of sheep gathered around it. This scene sets the stage for his meeting with Rachel and the beginning of his relationship with Lavan's family. Rashi explains that this well was providentially placed in Yaakov's path as part of Hashem's plan to bring him to his future wife.

Symbolism of the Well

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 70:8) interprets the well as a metaphor for Torah, with the "three flocks" representing the three categories of Jews—Kohanim, Levi'im, and Yisraelim—who all draw sustenance from the same divine source. The stone covering the well symbolizes the yetzer hara (evil inclination), which obstructs access to Torah wisdom until it is removed through concerted effort.

The Three Flocks of Sheep

  • Rashi explains that the three flocks correspond to the three festivals (Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot) when all Jews would ascend to Jerusalem—hinting at future Jewish unity.
  • Ramban suggests they foreshadow the three Patriarchs (Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov), emphasizing that Yaakov's mission would complete their spiritual legacy.
  • Kli Yakar connects them to the three crowns mentioned in Pirkei Avot (crown of Torah, priesthood, and kingship), which would emerge from Yaakov's descendants.

The Great Stone on the Well

The stone's size and position teach several lessons:

  • Practical Reason: Rashi notes it prevented evaporation and kept the water clean—a lesson in preserving spiritual resources.
  • Moral Lesson: Sforno teaches that removing the stone required cooperation, symbolizing that major spiritual achievements demand collective effort.
  • Prophetic Sign: Ohr HaChaim sees the stone as representing galut (exile), which Yaakov would have to "roll away" through his trials.

Hashgacha Pratit (Divine Providence)

Malbim emphasizes that every detail—the well's location, the timing of the flocks' arrival, and the stone's presence—was orchestrated by Hashem to facilitate Yaakov's meeting with Rachel. This demonstrates how divine guidance operates through seemingly natural events.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the well in Genesis 29:2?
A: The well in Genesis 29:2 represents a meeting place where Yaakov (Jacob) encounters Rachel, leading to his future marriage. According to Rashi, wells often symbolize Torah (as water symbolizes wisdom), and this moment foreshadows the importance of Yaakov's future family in Jewish history.
Q: Why were there three flocks of sheep by the well?
A: The three flocks of sheep (Genesis 29:2) hint at the three Patriarchs—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov—whose descendants would later form the Jewish people. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) connects this imagery to the future unity of the Jewish nation.
Q: What does the large stone covering the well symbolize?
A: The large stone on the well (Genesis 29:2) represents obstacles in life that require collective effort to overcome. Rashi explains that only when all the shepherds gathered could they roll the stone away, teaching us the importance of unity in achieving difficult tasks.
Q: How does this verse connect to Yaakov's future marriage?
A: This verse sets the stage for Yaakov meeting Rachel, as she would soon arrive to water her father’s sheep (Genesis 29:9-10). The well serves as a divine meeting point, showing Hashgachah Pratit (Divine Providence) in guiding Yaakov toward building the foundations of the Twelve Tribes.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the shepherds watering their flocks together?
A: The shepherds cooperating to water their flocks (Genesis 29:2-3) teaches the Jewish value of communal responsibility. The Talmud (Ta’anit 23a) emphasizes that shared resources, like water, require fairness and mutual effort—a principle that applies to supporting others in need today.