Serving Your Master

In Melachim B (Kings II:3), the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judea ally themselves to put down a Moabite rebellion.  The armies become lost and are dying of thirst in the desert.  King Yoram (Joram) says, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Eliyahu (Elijah.)”  The fact that Elisha is known not for having studied with Eliyahu but for having washed his hands is taken as a sign that there is a deeper spiritual connection forged between talmid (student) and rebbe (teacher) through actual service in the real world rather than theoretical learning or rhetorical debate.  This concept that extends to performance of the Mitzvot (commandments) generally.