We find this tale in Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating collection of stories and interpretations from the early Middle Ages. It paints a vivid picture: Jacob arrives at a well. Not just any well, mind you. This one has a massive stone covering its opening. And the local shepherds? They're all standing around, seemingly helpless. This stone is so heavy that not one of them can move it.
But Jacob? The text tells us, "Jacob's steps were not straitened, and his strength did not fail." He's not intimidated. He’s not discouraged. And like a "strong hero," he rolls that stone away. Just like that. The well, freed from its constraint, overflows with water. The shepherds are astonished! They couldn't do it, but Jacob could. As Genesis 29:10 says, "And Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth." Pretty impressive. What does it all mean? Well, maybe it’s about inner strength. Maybe it’s about not being afraid to tackle something others deem impossible. Maybe it's about the power of one person to make a difference.
And then Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer takes an interesting turn. Rabbi 'Akiba offers a piece of wisdom based on another story entirely. He says, "Anyone who enters a city, and finds maidens coming forth before him, his way will be prosperous (before him)." It's a curious statement, isn't it? Where does he get this idea?
He points us to the story of Eliezer, Abraham's servant. Remember when Abraham sent Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac? As Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer notes, quoting Genesis 24:43, Eliezer says, "Behold, I stand by the fountain of water." Before he even enters the city, maidens appear. And as the story goes, God blesses Eliezer's mission, and he finds Rebecca.
So, what's the connection? What does Jacob and the well have to do with Eliezer and the maidens? Perhaps Rabbi 'Akiba is suggesting that divine favor often presents itself in unexpected ways. Maybe it's about recognizing the signs, seeing the opportunities that are laid out before us, and having the courage – like Jacob – to act. Or maybe, just maybe, it's a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is one person willing to step up and roll away the stone.