The Song of the Well

Thanking HaShem for giving them water in the desert, the Jews sang to Him: “Then the Israelites sang this song: ‘Arise, O well, sing to it’” (Numbers 21:17).

Rebbe Nachman taught (The Aleph-Bet Book, Eating B:15): “Drinking rouses a person to sing and play musical instruments, whereas eating does not. This is because, in the wilderness, the Jewish people sang the praises of HaShem over the well, but not over the manna.”

The Midrash asks, “Why did they sing over the well but not over the manna?” It teaches that the people complained about the manna (see Numbers 21:4-9), and thus did not praise HaShem for it. To this, HaShem said, “I want neither your complaints nor your praises.” However, the well was joyfully received, so they were given the ability to sing (Shemot Rabbah, Beshalach 25:7).

The commentaries point out that singing to HaShem is a type of Ruach HaKodesh, Divine Inspiration. When HaShem desires, a spirit of inspiration rests upon a person and allows him to express himself with song and joy. Conversely, if Divine Inspiration is withheld—as when they complained about the manna—a person can grasp for spirituality but not attain it.

Elsewhere (Likutey Moharan I, 156), Rebbe Nachman also teaches about drawing Ruach HaKodesh upon oneself by renewing one’s efforts to speak to HaShem through Hitbodedut.

Several ideas emerge from these teachings. The first is to learn how to praise HaShem for the gifts we receive from Him, as the Jews did with the well that accompanied them in the desert. A second idea is to minimize—and even stop—complaining. Yes, we all have reasons to complain, but receiving manna—food and sustenance—for forty years in a desert, an uninhabited and hostile environment, certainly had its advantages. Perhaps many of us have only limited bounty, but we should find joy and be happy with what we have!

A third idea is to understand our power to draw Divine Inspiration upon ourselves. We can do this by being thankful for what we have and recognizing the good that HaShem bestows upon us. Another idea is that when we renew our outlook on life and begin to renew our connection to HaShem by speaking and praying to Him, we can also draw Divine Inspiration upon ourselves.

Have a great Shabbos!