In regard to self-knowledge and understanding of the world around us, it is very accessible to find the answers through books, movies and people’s insights, physical experiences – they provide beautifully, yet they are all exterior sources. I believe this weeks parasha illuminates an insight through Isaac’s character on the value of searching within – and what that means.
Among the little descriptions of his actions is his endeavor of digging wells. Compared to his father Avraham, who shined the attribute of ceaseless giving and outgoing reach to the world, we do not read so much about Isaacs personality in the Torah. This represents his reserved and modest quality of working quietly, introspection. It was his way of carrying his fathers message of the rule of one g-d through into the pagan world. We see that they both fulfilled their mission in different ways, not diminishing the success but illuminating different ways of serving hashem.
To come to our point: what does the digging of wells in Isaac’s lifetime represent? He didn’t provide in a direct and active way like his father did but by, with lots of time and effort, digging wells that will last and be a source even without the active work that was connected to Avrahams way of providing.
I have been learning and living in Israel for three months now, essentially peeling of layers and layers of foul personality traits, labels and conduct that do not represent my pure core. This is a process a human undergoes when one tries to live a way of Torah which is the way to unite with hashem, to grow and become the best version of ourselves. What is the process of digging a well? It is hard work, facing challenges like rocks and different types of soil that make it hard to dig. But why do we dig?
We dig to find a source of water which sustains life, unlimited and lasting. It mirrors our very own digging, not in the physical sense but in the spiritual – digging within to find the answers which lie in the source of life that can be accessed in the depths of each and every one of us, our core that is pure and only wants and emanates goodness. Evidently, this is connected to many hardships, we need to clear the path to this source which means dismantling our faults before we can act from this place of purity. Engaging in this hard process takes more time and energy than subsisting on our friends and leaders goodness and strength, which is also an option and help to be better – but working on yourself deeply to find the goodness within yourself will last stronger.
Through all this we can also see that the root of every goodness in this world lies within the core of us – just like water, deep in the earth. We can create and access it, it already lies within; there is no need to seek it outside of ourselves, no need to wander and feel desperation – all it needs is for you to dig out all the layers that cover your source, remove negative attributes that don’t serve ourselves and the world. Instead of being in need, through inner work we can become a source to others. It is already there subcutaneously, waiting – we just need to unearth it.
May we all succeed in our inner journey of peeling away built up klipa and internalize this trait of our forefather itzhak over Shabbat.