Synagogues Begin Prayers for Rain as Autumn Season Continues
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Synagogues across Israel began praying for rain on Saturday evening, two weeks after the Sukkot holiday. This tradition, observed by both Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews, includes specific liturgical additions for rain. The delay in starting these prayers is rooted in the ancient practice of waiting for all pilgrims to return home after the High Holy Days.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Synagogues across Israel began praying for rain on Saturday evening, the 7th of Cheshvan.
- The prayers for rain commence two weeks after the Sukkot holiday.
- Ashkenazi Jews add the phrase "Ve'ten tal umatar livracha" to their prayers.
- Sephardi Jews recite a longer, specific prayer for rain three times daily.
- The delay in rain prayers is a historical custom linked to the Temple era and pilgrim returns.
Synagogues across Israel commenced prayers for rain on Saturday evening, the 7th of Cheshvan. This tradition begins two weeks after the Sukkot holiday, which concludes the High Holy Days. Ashkenazi Jews add the phrase "Ve'ten tal umatar livracha" (And give dew and rain for a blessing) to their prayers. Sephardi Jews recite a longer prayer for rain three times daily, asking God to bless the year and its produce, to send beneficial rain, to satisfy the world, and to protect against misfortune, hoping for a good end and peace. The practice of delaying the rain prayers until two weeks after the holidays stems from the period of the Temple in Jerusalem. During Sukkot, many pilgrims would travel to the city, and the custom was to wait until the last pilgrim, even those from distant Babylon, had returned home, a journey that took approximately two weeks in ancient times.
