Well in the Desert

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The Well in the Desert

TANAKH

The Book of Numbers recounts the miraculous provision of water at Beer, where Moses, following God's command, led the chieftains and nobles to dig a well, prompting a celebratory song from the Israelites.

And from there to Beer, which is the well where יהוה said to Moses, “Assemble the people that I may give them water.” Then Israel sang this song:
Spring up, O well—sing to it—
The well which the chieftains dug,
Which the nobles of the people started
With maces, with their own staffs. And from Midbar to Mattanah,

Numbers 21:16-18

Miriam's Purifying Well

KABBALAH

Miriam's death had a profound spiritual impact on the Israelites, causing the well that sustained them in the desert to cease. The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, explores the deep connection between Miriam's passing and the cessation of the well, revealing the spiritual significance of her life and death.

AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, EVEN THE WHOLE CONGREGATION, CAME INTO THE WILDERNESS OF ZIN. R. Judah said: ‘Why is the section of the red heifer followed immediately by the statement of the death of Miriam? To show that just as judgement was executed on this heifer to purify the unclean, so judgement was executed on Miriam to purify the world. When Miriam departed, the well which accompanied Israel in the wilderness also departed. Therefore THERE WAS NO WATER FOR THE CONGREGATION, because the well had departed both above and below.

Zohar, Chukat 6:35

Divine Rewards for Abraham's Hospitality

MIDRASH

Abraham's actions and words led to specific divine rewards and commandments for his descendants. The Midrash Tanchuma, an early medieval collection of midrash, connects Abraham's hospitality to divine rewards, emphasizing the long-lasting impact of his actions.

Because you said: Let now a little water be fetched, and wash your feet, and recline yourselves under the tree (Gen. 18:4), I will give the precept of the paschal lamb to thy descendants, as it is said: They shall fetch to them every man a lamb (Exod. 12:3). Because you said to them Let now (na), I will give your descendants the ordinance of the Passover: You shall not eat of it raw (na) (ibid., v. 20). Because you did say A little, I will drive their enemies away little by little…

Midrash Tanchuma, Vayera 4:3

The Miracles of Miriam and Aaron

TOSEFTA

The deaths of Miriam and Aaron led to the cessation of the miraculous well and cloud that provided for Israel in the desert. The Tosefta, an ancient collection of rabbinic laws and teachings from the land of Israel, highlights the important roles of Miriam and Aaron in the Israelites' journey through the desert.

As long as Miriam was alive, there was a well that sustained Israel. Once Miriam died, what does it say, but (Num. 20:1-2), "Miriam died there ... And there was no water for the community," [meaning] that the well had disappeared. As long as Aaron was alive, the column of cloud guided Israel. Once Aaron died, what does it say, but (Num. 21:1), "And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who ruled the Negev, heard [that Israel was coming]." That same evildoer raised an army and came to wage war with Israel…

Tosefta Sotah 11:1

Woman at a Well, Camille Pissarro. 1891 PD

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