The Significance of Be’er Sheva

In Parshat Vayigash, Yaakov’s sons return to the Land of Israel in order to bring the entire family down to Egypt.

 

When they arrive at the Southern most point of the Biblical Land of Israel, Be’er Sheva, Yaakov offers sacrifices to God. In a dream, God promises Yaakov that He will protect him (Breisheet 45:1-4).

 

Be’er Sheva literally means the “Well of the Oath” since that is the place where Avraham made an oath with Avimelech, King of Grar (today’s Gaza strip) (Breisheet 21:32). According to Rashi (Breisheet 21:34), Avraham actually spent more time, “yamim rabim” living in Be’er Sheva (26 years) than anywhere else (he lived in Chevron for 25 years). Avraham  planted an eshel tree and called out in the name of God.

 

Yitzchak also lived in Be’er Sheva and God blessed him in a dream (Breisheet 26:24) affirming that He is with him and that he should not be afraid.Yitzchak built an alter there and made a covenant of peace with Avimelech.

 

In the Book of Breisheet we see that Be’er Sheva has always been a place of prophecy, prayer and peace agreements.

 

Over the last few days, Be’er Sheva has been in the news for being the farthest target that has been hit so far by Hamas. This past Wednesday, a rocket directly hit a high school (school was not in session due to the war). Rockets were launched into Be’er Sheva all day Wednesday as well as on Thursday morning and evening where rockets landed in open areas.

 

During this difficult time we pray for the safety of the Israelis living closest to the Gaza strip (Sderot is 10 km away) as well as for those who live as far as Be’er Sheva (40 km away).

 

May the city of Be’er Sheva (and the surrounding cities) be restored to peace, prayer and prophecy as Be’er Sheva was in the days of the Avot (Patriarchs).