Rabbi's Blog
What’s With All the Marriages by the Well?
Well, well, well... would you believe it? Another marriage by the well.
In the Torah, we see a recurring theme: Eliezer finds Rebecca for Isaac at a well. Jacob meets Rachel at a well. And now, Moses meets his wife, Zipporah, at a well. Why does the well serve as the ultimate setting for matchmaking?
The commentaries point us to a verse in Proverbs, written by King Solomon: “As water reflects a face, so the heart of one person reflects another” (Proverbs 27:19).
Marriage is the deepest relationship between two strangers. The Torah is teaching that the key to a genuine relationship is reflection . The way I feel about you shapes the way you feel about me. The warmth, openness, and respect I bring into a relationship are mirrored back.
The Deeper Layer The Kabbalists explain that this verse applies not only to human relationships but also to our relationship with G-d. The way we relate to the Almighty creates a response from Above. The love, devotion, and sincerity we bring into our service are reflected back to us in blessing and Divine closeness.
What makes this so incredible is that it defies logic. We are finite, and G-d is infinite. By logic alone, there should be no real connection at all. Yet G-d chose otherwise. He decided that our actions matter—that our hearts can touch Him.
Everything Matters It is one of the greatest gifts we have been given. Human relationships work through reflection, and G-d, in His kindness, extended that same system upward. Our devotion creates a connection. Our effort creates a response.
Lighting Shabbat candles matters.
Devotional prayers matter.
Putting on Tefillin matters.
Helping another person matters.
None of it is merely symbolic; each act creates a real response. The fact that we can touch the Divine is nothing short of a miracle.
Take advantage of this gift. Show up with heart, show up with intention, and remember that when we turn toward G-d, He turns toward us as well. Rabbi Pinchas Adler
A Poem
- It's late in the day, There's so much to do. Shabbat is coming, already past two.
- The year is ending, Elul is here. Listen out, The King is near.
- He wants to be close, To help us out. With our inner struggles, Our inner doubts.
- We get a month To make things right, To polish our souls And make them bright.
- Soon will come The High Holidays, We will all come To give praise.
- To give praise To the Holy King, The Creator of everything!
- Wake up now Elul is about to start! Take advantage Make every day count.
- Blow that Shofar Every day. Until the great Holy Day.
- To remind, To be aware. The King is near, The King is here.
- The King is here Right in you heart Look for him, It's a good start.
- Shabbat Shalom, and Chodesh Tov!
Masks
A timely message my wife shared on Facebook today:
Mask. Definition - to cover or conceal.
I'm not gonna lie. It's hard to see my 3 year old so naturally embrace wearing a mask and this whole new strange reality. There is something quite sad about this scene.
From my perspective, with my eyes barely peeking over my own mask, i see a reality where connecting to one another is so difficult. I miss seeing the beautiful smiles surrounding us. Having to be physically distant can make me feel emotionally distant too. I feel like emotions are hidden and warmth is concealed.
But then I look at my son. His eyes are sparkling with joy and excitement. He shares a big smile with everyone he meets. A smile that literally pops out the sides of his mask and in turn invites smiles from those around. I open my own eyes to a different reality, the TRUE reality. Kindness is everywhere. The eyes are the window to the soul and each individual is a beautiful soul ready to help and quick to share a kind word. Nothing can stop us from being strong and united.
This world sometimes feels like it's masked. The beauty is concealed and it seems like a raging jungle. However, we know that is just a facade. We need to look deeper to see the G-dliness and holiness within. And not only should we open our eyes to reality, but we can actually CHANGE our reality by shining a light through doing acts of goodness and kindness. A little light dispels a lot of darkness and one little candle can light up millions of others and brighten up our world, until it resembles the beautiful garden it truly is.
I pray that all masks and facades should be ripped off very soon bringing an era of peace and redemption to this world.
Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Pinchas Adler
Peace
- What’s With All the Marriages by the Well?