Digging Deeper: Yitzchok's Wells and Overcoming Adversity

The Torah in this week's Parsha (Genesis 26:15-22) goes into detail about the water wells dug by Yitzchok Avinu, and how he failed at the first two sites and only succeeded at the third excavation. Why does the Torah go into such detail about a seemingly meaningless episode and what lessons can be learned from it? Furthermore, the posuk points out that these were the same wells that Avrahom Avinu dug[1], later filled by the Plishtim, and now re-dug by Yitzchok. Why did Yitzchok insist on re-digging those wells when he could have looked elsewhere to dig?

Rav Yisrael Meir HaKohen Kagan ZT”L (1838-1933), known as the Chofetz Chaim, points out that the Torah is teaching us a lesson on how to deal with struggles in life. Yitzchok could have given up easily, claiming that his father’s wells were rendered unusable, and since his first and second attempts at unearthing were met with no success, why should he continue to pursue this task? However, Yitzchok did not back down when faced with difficulties and his resolve didn't waiver, embodying the idealism he was known for - גבורת יצחק, the strength of Yitzchok[2]. Says the Chofetz Chaim, the Torah expounded on this entire episode to teach us this idea: not to capitulate when we have adversities of our own.

 Rav Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter ZT”L of Gur (1847-1905), known as the Sfas Emes, understands the entire affair of Yitzchok and the wells as a parable and a guide for spiritual pursuits. Torah is compared to water (Isaiah 55:1)[3] and the episode is to be understood in this light. After Avraham passed, his “wellsprings of Torah” ceased to operate and it was incumbent on Yitzchok to bring new sources of Torah into the world. Whereas Yitzchok could have mimicked his father’s path, he found his own unique way in the service of Hashem. However, according to this interpretation, why didn’t Yitzchok go to new locations to search for water, why did he feel a need to go to the “wells of his father”? Shouldn't he have a location of his own? The Sefas Emes expounds saying that Yitzchok was providing guidance for every Jew. While we continue to follow the ways of our forefathers, bearers of an ancient tradition given to us at Sinai over 3,300 years ago, we need to find a way to make it personal and our own and not only impersonate the ways of our ancestors.

 The lessons of Yitzchok’s water wells can be applied to our daily lives. Often we desire a greater emphasis and more meaningful relationship with Torah, spirituality, and Hashem but sometimes we do not succeed due to our hectic schedules and multiple responsibilities. We may have tried multiple times in the past, and sometimes we fall into despair and feel that we don't have the energy to try again. Yitzchok's multiple excavation attempts teach us to never give up, and keep on pursuing lofty goals. With determination and Hashem’s help, we will ultimately succeed. Additionally, we learn the importance of not following Torah and Mitzvos out of rote or tradition, but rather to make them personal and relevant to our generation.

[1] וישב יצחק ויחפר את-בארת המים, אשר חפרו בימי אברהם אביו, ויסתמום פלשתים, אחרי מות אברהם; ויקרא להן, שמות, כשמת, אשר-קרא להן אביו.(בראשית פרק כו י"ח)

[2] זוהר חדש - בראשית פרשת תולדות מאמר שבעה יומין עלאין אות ט יִצְחָק יָדַע לֵיהּ בְּדַרְגָּא דִּגְבוּרָה, דְּאִקְרֵי פַּחַד יִצְחָק, וְדָחִיל לֵיהּ לְעָלְמִין.

[3] הוֹי כָּל-צָמֵא לְכוּ לַמַּיִם (יְשַׁעְיָהוּ נ''ה א)