4 Elements Course: Water

(6) Ten things were created on the eve of the Sabbath at twilight, and these are they: [1] the mouth of the earth, [2] the mouth of the well, [3] the mouth of the donkey, [4] the rainbow, [5] the manna, [6] the staff [of Moses], [7] the shamir, [8] the letters, [9] the writing, [10] and the tablets. And some say: also the demons, the grave of Moses, and the ram of Abraham, our father. And some say: and also tongs, made with tongs.

(1) ולא היה מים לעדה, “The congregation had no water.” When Miriam died, the well disappeared, because the well was due to the merit of Miriam who merited the water through [watching over] Moses [at the Nile], as it is written, "And his sister was stationed at a distance" (Exodus 2:4). And because it disappeared now, with her death, [Israel] realized that it was with them through her merit, and from here [we can infer] that the well was with them for the whole 40 years [of their wandering].

RAMA: ... And there are those who say to draw water from wells or natural springs every Saturday night, because the well of Miriam passes through all the wells and natural springs every Saturday night. And one who touches it and drinks from it will be healed from all his afflictions [Kol Bo]. And I did not see (anything) about this custom.

(19) Just as the face of water [reflects] a face, so does the heart of a human [reflect] a person.

Another matter: your love is better than wine [Song of Songs 1:2]; Words of Torah can be compared to water, wine, oil, honey, and milk. To water: O all who thirst, come for water [Is. 55:1]

Just as water goes from one end of the earth to the other, as it is written, to the one who spread forth the earth above the waters [Psalms 136:6], so does Torah go from one end of the earth to the other, as it is written, the measure is longer than the earth [Job 11:9].

Just as water is forever-living, as it is written, a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters [Song of Songs 4:15], so is Torah is forever-living, as it is written, for they are alive to those that find them [Proverbs 4:22], and also come, buy and eat [Isaiah 55:1]. [prooftexts suppressed going forward]

Just as water comes from the heavens, so too does Torah come from the heavens.

Just as the water has many voices, so too does Torah have many voices.

Just as water restores the soul, so too does Torah...

Just as water cleanses the body from tumah (ritual impurity), so too does Torah cleanse impurity.

Just as water originates in tiny drops and accumulates into mighty streams and rivers, so the Torah is acquired word by word today, verse by verse tomorrow;

Just as water covers the shamefulness (erva) of the sea, so too does Torah cover the shamefulness of Israel, as it is written, love covers up all faults [Proverbs 10:12].

Just as water descends drop by drop to form rivers, so too does a person learn Torah two halakhot each day until it is a flowing stream.

Just as water is not pleasing to a person who is not thirsty, so too Torah not appreciated unless a person [has struggled with it enough to be] tired from it.

Just as water leaves high places alone and runs in low places, so too Torah leaves alone someone with a haughty attitude and clings to someone with a modest self-image.

Just as water is not kept in silver or gold vessels, but the simplest [clay] vessels, so Torah is sustained by one who makes him/herself like a clay vessel.

Just as a scholar is not embarrassed to ask a student, ‘pass me some water,’ a scholar is not embarrassed to learn from a student a chapter, a verse, a word, or even a letter.

Just as one who does not know how to float in water will eventually drown, so too will one who cannot float on and point out (l'horot) words of Torah eventually drown.