The Well in the Field Read as Synagogue and as Sinai

Another interpretation: "And behold, a well in the field" (Genesis 29) — this is the synagogue. "And behold, three flocks of sheep" — these are the three who are called up to the reading. "For from that well they would water [the flocks]" — for from there they hear the Torah. "And the stone was great upon the mouth of the well" — this is the evil inclination. "And all the flocks were gathered there" — this is the congregation. "And they rolled the stone" — this is the Torah scroll that they roll open and from which they hear words of Torah. "And they put the stone back upon the mouth of the well" — for once they go out, the evil inclination returns. Rabbi Yohanan explained the verse with reference to Sinai. "And behold, a well in the field" — this is Sinai. "And behold, three flocks of sheep" — priests, Levites, and Israelites. "For from that well the flocks would water" — for from there they heard the Ten Commandments. "And the stone was great upon the mouth of the well" — this is the Divine Presence. "And all the flocks were gathered there" — for had Israel been lacking even one person, they would not have received the Torah. "And they rolled the stone" — for from there they heard the Ten Words. "And they put the stone back upon the mouth of the well" — "You yourselves have seen that I spoke with you from heaven" (Exodus 20). "And Jacob said to them: My brothers, where are you from?" (Genesis 29:4-6). Rabbi Yose bar Hanina explained the verse with reference to the exiles. "And they said: We are from Haran" — from the wrath (haron) of the Omnipresent we are fleeing. "Do you know Laban son of Nahor?" — do you know the One who is destined to whiten (lalben) their sins like snow? "And they said: We know him." "And he said to them: Is it well with him?" — and they said: It is well. By what merit? "And behold, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep." This is as it is written (Jeremiah 31): "Thus says the LORD: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping… Thus says the LORD: Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for there is reward for your labor, says the LORD, and they shall return from the land of the enemy; and there is hope for your future, says the LORD, and your children shall return to their own border." "And he said to them: Is it well with him?" — between you and him. "And they said: It is well." And if you want a play on words: "And behold, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep" — this teaches that speech is found readily among women. "And he said: Behold, the day is still long" (Genesis 29:7). He said to them: If you are hired shepherds, behold, the day is still long. And if you are pasturing your own flock, it is not yet time to gather in the cattle; water the sheep and go pasture them.