BH
In Parshat Toldot, we read about our father Yitzchak, who settles in the land of the Philistines. It is within this context that the verse tells us, "Yitzchak dug again the wells of water that they had dug in the days of Avraham his father, and the Philistines had stopped them up after Avraham died, and he called them by the names his father had called them" (Bereishit 26:18).
On a simple reading, the verse describes how Yitzchak restored his father's wells. However, the Torah then details the digging of one well after another. Why would a matter of water deserve so much attention, and why so many words on the digging of wells?
Rabbi Shem Tov ibn Shem Tov explains that the account of the wells is alluding to something entirely different, another part of Avraham's life that Yitzchak was continuing. Avraham had introduced many people to the belief in one G-d, opening one heart at a time as he patiently taught and worked to influence those around him.
Then Avraham passed away, and unfortunately many returned to their old ways, as if the wells had been stopped up. Yitzchak, however, would not let his father's life work be buried, and he worked diligently to bring them back. This is what the Torah means when it says "he called them by the names his father had called them," referring not only to the wells, but more importantly to the people.
However, the people of Gerar did not accept this. They wanted these people to remain under their sphere of influence, not to follow the teaching of Avraham, and accordingly a struggle ensued.
Finally, after all the struggles, Yitzchak dug a well and called it Be'er Sheva, meaning "the well of the oath," Rabbi Shem tov explains, that this is when the people swore and took upon themselves the teaching of Avraham and Yitzchak. This is why the Torah tells us about the wells, to show us the persistence and tenacity of Yitzchak, who made sure that his father's legacy would continue. The wells stand for the faith and belief that Avraham began to share, and we, his children, carry that legacy forward to this day.
Shabbat Shalom
