101. "And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, 'He that touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death'" (Beresheet 26:11). Come and behold, how long had the Holy One, blessed be He, refrained from avenging the wicked, for as a result of the good Abimelech did with the first Patriarchs, the children of Yisrael did not rule over the Philistines until generations later. Abimelech did well to act properly toward Isaac, as he said TO ABRAHAM, "Behold, my land is before you, dwell where it pleases you" (Beresheet 20:15). THIS SAYING ALSO ENCOMPASSES THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM. THIS IS WHY HE KEPT HIS WORD WITH ISAAC AS WELL, AND RABBI ELAZAR PRAISES HIM FOR KEEPING HIS PROMISE.
102. Rabbi Yehuda said, Woe to the wicked, whose generosity is not complete. Come and behold, Efron first said, "My lord, hear me, the field I give you, and the cave that is in it" (Beresheet 23:11). Later he said, "four hundred shekels" (Ibid. 14), and then, "And Abraham weighed to Efron...current money with the merchant" (Ibid. 16). Here too, it is written at first WHAT HE SAID TO ABRAHAM, "Behold, my land is before you," WHICH INCLUDES ISAAC. Then he said TO ISAAC, "Go from us; for you are much mightier than we" (Beresheet 26:16). Rabbi Elazar said to him, This is the benevolence Abimelech had for Isaac. He took nothing from him and sent him away with his money and possessions. Then, he went after him to make a covenant with him.
103. And Rabbi Elazar said that Isaac did well because he knew the secret of wisdom. He strove and dug a well of water, THAT IS, HE FIXED THE NUKVA CALLED A 'WELL OF WATER,' so as to be properly invigorated by Faith, WHICH IS THE NUKVA. Abraham also strove and dug a well of water. Jacob found it completed and settled by it. Everybody went after it and strove by it, so as to be strengthened by the true Faith, as is proper.
104. Presently, the children of Yisrael are strengthened by THE WELL OF WATER, THE SECRET OF THE NUKVA, according to the secret of keeping the commandments of the Torah; NAMELY, every day a man is strengthened and enveloped by the commandment of the Tzitzit ('fringes'), as he also is by the Tefilin he puts on his head and arm. This is as it should be, for they are the supernal mystery. For the Holy One, blessed be He, dwells with the man who is crowned by Tefilin and clothed with the fringes. All is in the secret of high Faith, NAMELY, THE NUKVA, MEANING THAT SHE IS AMENDED BY THE PRECEPTS A MAN FOLLOWS.
105. Therefore, whoever does not wear the fringes and is not invigorated by the Tefilin daily, appears as if faith does not dwell with him. The fear of his Master is removed from him, and his prayer is no proper prayer. For this reason, the fathers were strengthened by the supreme faith, since within the supernal well dwells whole faith, NAMELY, THE CORRECTED NUKVA.