במדבר, פרק כ״א, פסוק י״ז

In the fortieth year of wandering through the desert, a spontaneous anthem of gratitude erupts from the Israelites. Although a miraculous well had sustained the people from the beginning of their journey, it is only at this late stage that they break into song, marking a profound moment of realization and thankfulness.

This sudden joy stems from multiple sources. Originally provided in the merit of Miriam, the well ceased flowing upon her death. When it finally returns, now in the merit of Moses and the Torah, the people are moved to sing [כלי יקר, ברכת אשר על התורה]. Yet, their gratitude goes beyond the life-saving water itself. The song is also a reaction to a hidden military miracle. Amorite forces had set an ambush in the caves of the Arnon stream, plotting to attack the Israelites. Unbeknownst to the people, God moved the mountains together, crushing the enemy forces. It is the waters of the well that wash up the blood and remains of the defeated army, publicly revealing the massive, silent deliverance God had performed on their behalf [רש״י, רבנו בחיי, שפתי חכמים].

Despite the immense joy of a nation saved from both fatal thirst and a deadly ambush [דעת זקנים, בכור שור, הדר זקנים], two central figures are noticeably absent from the song: Moses and God. Moses does not participate because this very well was the root cause of his punishment and the decree that he would die in the desert. Because Moses is left out of the celebration, God's name is respectfully omitted as well [בכור שור, הדר זקנים].

As the people direct their voices to the well, they call upon the waters to rise. The primary approach among commentators views this as a direct instruction to the water to surge upward from the deep underground streams, sparing the people the exhausting labor of digging [רש״ר הירש, מלבי״ם]. It is also a command for the water to bring up the remains of the defeated enemies to the surface [רש״י, מזרחי]. Others understand this call not as a physical action, but as an expression of greatness and exaltation, celebrating the sheer wonder of a well that physically rolled and traveled alongside the camp [הכתב והקבלה]. On a symbolic level, the well represents the Torah and the Divine Presence, turning the people's song into a plea for supreme spiritual elevation [אור החיים, רקנאטי].

The Israelites are then urged to respond to the well. Most interpret this as a call to raise their voices in joyous song and deep gratitude to honor the water that kept them alive [אבן עזרא, שד״ל, שטיינזלץ, קיצור בעל הטורים, בכור שור]. This celebration takes the form of a responsive choir, where the great Torah scholars lead the melody and the rest of the nation answers with a repeating chorus [רש״ר הירש, העמק דבר]. Alternatively, this response is seen as a direct conversation with the well itself. The inanimate stone is granted the miraculous ability to hear and answer the people's plea for water [ביאור יש״ר, הכתב והקבלה]. Finally, this call may also reflect the physical reality of the well, capturing the constant movement and shaking of the stone as it travels with them through the barren wasteland [הכתב והקבלה].