BH
The Test of Water in Rephidim
In Parshat BeShalach, the Jewish people arrive in Rephidim and face a major test—there is no water. Instead of turning to Hashem with faith, they quarrel with Moshe, demanding water and questioning whether Hashem is truly with them. Their complaint intensifies: “Why did you take us out of Egypt to die of thirst?” Moshe, distressed by their accusations, cries out to Hashem, fearing they may even stone him. Hashem instructs Moshe to take his staff—the same one used to strike the Nile—and hit a rock, bringing forth water for the people. This location is named Masa U’Meriva, representing both their testing of Hashem (Masa) and their strife with Moshe (Meriva).
Why Strike the Rock?
Hashem could have provided water in many ways: a natural spring, rainfall, or another visible miracle. Instead, He chooses the unusual method of having Moshe strike a rock with his staff. Why?
Rashi explains that Moshe’s staff was made from Sanpirinon, an unbreakable material capable of splitting through rock. The rock itself symbolizes something rigid, closed off, and seemingly lifeless—just like the nation’s faith at that moment. The striking of the rock represents the process of emunah under pressure—sometimes faith is accessed easily, but other times it must be broken through force.
This moment sets the stage for a broader theme—how we handle tests of faith and how our emunah is challenged when we feel abandoned. But why was their reaction so extreme? Why did they question Hashem’s presence so strongly, and why was striking the rock necessary instead of allowing the water to come in a gentler way?
The Challenge of Water and the Test of Faith
the Jewish people face a profound test when they arrive at Rephidim and find no water. Their response is not one of faith but of complaint and doubt, questioning whether Hashem is truly with them. Hashem instructs Moshe to strike a rock with his staff, and miraculously, water flows forth. This unusual method of bringing water is deeply symbolic—it represents the process of encountering obstacles in life and the necessity of breaking through them to access divine sustenance.
The Purpose of Hitting a Wall
Reb Noson, in his explanation of Likutey Moharan Lesson 24, expands on this idea: a person striving to grow spiritually will inevitably hit a wall. This is known as Betisha—being smacked against a wall and pushed back. Whether in matters of family, livelihood, health, or personal holiness, the journey towards Hashem is never smooth. A person reaches a point where they feel blocked, unable to move forward, as if they are being denied access to higher levels of connection with Hashem.
However, the purpose of this setback is not to push a person away—it is to elicit a deeper yearning. When a person cries out, expressing their longing to come closer to Hashem despite the difficulty, that very cry is what allows the breakthrough to happen. Just as Moshe’s staff—also made of rock—cracked open the stone, revealing the water within, so too must a person endure the experience of being “struck” in order to access the hidden bounty that awaits on the other side.
The Mistake of Complaining
The Jewish people were being tested, and their failure was in their response. Instead of crying out with faith, they doubted Hashem’s presence. Had they accepted the test with humility, had they turned to Hashem and said, “We trust You, Hashem! We know we don’t deserve Your kindness, but we only want to follow You”, then the water could have emerged naturally, without the need for Moshe to strike the rock.
Because they failed this test, they were immediately vulnerable to another attack—the attack of Amalek. As the Midrash explains, Hashem was like a father carrying his child on His shoulders, yet the child still asked strangers, “Have you seen my father?” This lack of recognition led Hashem to briefly set the child down—allowing Amalek, like a dog, to come and bite. This painful episode was meant to remind the Jewish people that Hashem had been with them all along.
Expressing Yearning in the Face of Setbacks
The Jewish people’s reaction to their thirst teaches a crucial lesson about faith and perseverance. Instead of responding with trust and yearning for Hashem, they complained and doubted His presence. Their test was not about thirst alone—it was about how they would react when faced with difficulty. The ideal response was not to demand water but to cry out, “Hashem, we only want to come closer to You!” Had they done this, they would have merited salvation without suffering the attack of Amalek.
The Symbolism of the Rock and Moshe’s Staff
Hashem could have provided water in many ways, yet He commanded Moshe to strike a rock with a staff made of Sanpirinon, a sapphire-like material. This act reflects the process of spiritual growth: a person striving for closeness to Hashem must encounter a wall, a setback, and be pushed back before they can move forward. When accepted with humility, these setbacks allow a person to express their deepest yearnings. Just as the rock contained hidden water, behind every obstacle lies an opening for divine bounty—if one responds with the right attitude.
This article also appears on the BRI breslov.org website: https://breslov.org/striking-stone-with-stone/
For a video presentation of this article: https://youtu.be/ZLc2pCasjF0
Shabbat Shalom.
Meir Elkabas
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