Wach Family Reimagines Ancient Rain Prayer, Connecting Patriarchs to Fallen Soldiers

The Wach family has released a new musical rendition of the ancient Jewish rain prayer, traditionally recited on the holiday of Shemini Atzeret. The melody was composed by Golan Wach, and the song is performed by family members with arrangement by Tzachi Daruri. In their new version, the family connects the ancient plea for rain to the memory of fallen soldiers who have joined the ranks of mourners in recent years.

The prayer, whose author is unknown, references biblical figures and events associated with water, invoking the merit of the nation's patriarchs. It mentions Abraham being drawn after God 'like water,' Jacob crossing the Jordan River, and Moses drawing water from a rock for the Israelites in the desert. The prayer also recalls the twelve tribes and the Israelites' passage through the Red Sea, with each verse reiterating the plea for water and blessings in the merit of past generations.

The Wach family's new performance aims to extend this chain of remembrance to include the current generation. "Our hearts are full of prayer that all deeds and words will be gathered, and all our wishes will be fulfilled with rains of blessing," the family stated. "And through the merit of all the righteous, heroes, and pure ones living in this world and the next, may we be remembered for good and by their righteousness may we be granted abundant water."

The arrangement and instrumentation feature Tzachi Daruri, with Golan Wach on guitars, Shani Bar on cello, Shai Hazan on bass, and Shahar Haziza on drums. Drum recording was done at Pluto Studios by Ronen Rot, with Golan Wach also handling mixing and mastering. The accompanying music video was created by Reut Abirni.