בראשית, פרק כ״ד, פסוק י״ז

The encounter at the well marks the decisive turning point in the journey to find a wife for Isaac. The servant's actions are woven with sharp observation, caution, and a clear recognition of divine providence. The primary approach among commentators is that he rushed forward because he witnessed a sudden miracle: the water of the well rose up on its own to meet Rebecca. This is understood from the fact that she filled her jug without any physical effort of drawing water, and the natural flow seemed to move directly toward her [רמב״ן, הטור הארוך, ברטנורא, מזרחי, שפתי חכמים]. As a servant in Abraham's household, he was accustomed to witnessing such wonders, where the natural world responds to the presence of the righteous. Seeing the water rise, he instantly understood that she was worthy of entering Abraham's family [שפתי חכמים, יריעות שלמה, גור אריה].

While the miraculous rising of the water is a central theme, other perspectives suggest different motivations for his sudden run. He might have been running toward her just as she began her ascent from the spring [גור אריה]. Alternatively, he may have rushed forward simply because he saw a beautiful young woman and trusted God to guide the rest of the mission [רד״ק], or he was acting with the typical zeal and dedication of a faithful servant eager to complete his task [רש״ר הירש]. The miracle of the water occurred only this once to serve as a clear sign. Interestingly, when he later recounted these events to Rebecca's family, he deliberately omitted the detail of the miracle, fearing they would suspect him of inventing a fantastical story [רמב״ן, הטור הארוך].

When he finally speaks to her, he asks only for a small sip or taste of water, much less than a full drink [רש״י, שד״ל, רס״ג, ביאור יש״ר, נתינה לגר, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This specific measure of a small sip is even used in Jewish law to define the minimum amount of liquid for which one is liable when carrying on the Sabbath [תורה תמימה]. This request marks a significant shift from his original, private condition with God, where he planned to ask the maiden to physically tip her jug for him. Having witnessed the miracle and realizing she was the designated woman from a holy lineage, he was suddenly struck with anxiety. He feared that a burdensome request might cause her to refuse, thereby ruining the match. To ensure her easy agreement, he minimized his request as much as possible [אור החיים]. Another practical explanation for the change is that her jug was already filled to the brim. There was simply no need for her to tip it, as he could easily take a sip while it rested on her shoulder [העמק דבר]. Furthermore, he specifically asked to drink from her jug because he noticed it was exceptionally clean compared to those of the other young women, a detail that reflected her refined nature [תולדות יצחק].

Although he asked for only a small amount of water, he intentionally drank it very slowly. His goal was to buy time, allowing him to carefully observe her traits and test her patience as she waited for him to finish [תולדות יצחק]. Ultimately, her readiness to draw water for a stranger and his animals was not a demeaning chore. Rather, it was a profound expression of hospitality and kindness, reflecting the noble practice of great leaders who personally served their guests [רס״ג].