A Thought for Shemini Atzeret

On Shemini Atzeret we start asking for rain. We do this in the Beracha "Mechayeh HaMetim". Talmud Bavli (Berachot 33a) states that this is because rain is similar to Techiat HaMetim, resurrection of the dead: Rain brings life. Talmud Yerushalmi (Taanit Perek 1, Halacha 1) brings a more prophetic explanation and notes that the verse in Hoshea that announces Techiat HaMetim:

Hoshea 6:2

יחינו מימים ביום השלישי יקמנו ונחיה לפניו

After two days will He revive us, on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.

is followed by a verse that mentions rain:

Hoshea 6:3

ונדעה נרדפה לדעת את יהוה כשחר נכון מוצאו ויבוא כגשם לנו כמלקוש יורה ארץ

And let us know, eagerly strive to know the Lord, His going forth is sure as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.

The morning of the redemption will surely come. The knowledge of HaShem will certainly come to us, from above, as does rain. This is a blessed thing to have in mind when saying the Beracha "Mechayeh HaMetim". When we ask for physical rain, we should eagerly be asking for spiritual rain also. May this year bring us lots of both types of rain.

לג