HolyLand rainfall isn't something that just happens. Chazal, our sages tell us that G-d gives us the rain according to our deeds, our behavior according to mitzvah observance. The past few years have been cursed with drought. This year the rain began "on time," when we add the prayer for rain a couple of weeks after Succot.
We can see that it's a real winter by looking at the morning sky.
The past few years have been terribly dry with first heavy rains months later than we need. That's the reason for the tragic, deadly forest fire in the Carmel, northern Israel, last year.
If there had been sufficient rain, the forest wouldn't have had burnt so quickly and thoroughly.
When it's raining, we must call it a beautiful day, because we do need every drop of water G-d is willing to give us. The sun is always shining, even if it's hiding behind the clouds.
Let it rain!
8 comments:
Thanks for making me smile.CY
cy, thanks for showing appreciation for the blog post. Now to thank G-d with even more mitvot, G-d willing...
Sometimes I like to fall asleep with the window open, even if it's cold, just to hear the beautiful sound of the rain. I tried to explain this to a couple of American seminary students who came for lunch on Shabbat...
a, love it, enjoy and Thank G-d
Shalom!
My husband frequently comments that in Israel rain is almost always a happy occurrence, whereas in America it's virtually always sad. I can hear the rain through the closed window so I don't even have to suffer the cold in order to enjoy the sound.
There are several stories about parents outside of Israel whose children asked them about the special prayers said for rain in times of a drought in Israel, when the child could see the local rain. "But Abba, it's raining out!?" the child asked. And the father responded, "That's not our rain."
We should appreciate our rain.
Yes, people here in the HolyLand are rather protective of their raindrops.
I have no problem with praising G-d for the gift of rain, which equals life.
I do have a problem with blaming forest fires on draught. out-of-control forest fires are caused by human beings.
As an aside, fires in a forest are part of a a natural cycle. G-d planned it that way. Only mankind is responsible for allowing forest fires to reach the point of killing humans.
a, the dryness of the Carmel, which contributed to the viciousness of the fire, was due to the drought, and according to the Torah our sins cause insufficient rain = drought. All over the world large fires cause fatalities. Israelis aren't used to the idea.
Post a Comment