Call to Pray for Rain

December 8, 2013

2 min read

“And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto My commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.” (Deuteronomy 11:13-14)

Rain in Jerusalem (Photo: Miriam Alster/Flash90)
Rain in Jerusalem (Photo: Miriam Alster/Flash90)

Both the chief Rabbinate and the military Rabbinate called on their constituents to pray for rain last week, following weeks of dry weather that they identified as a drought.  Although there has been some rain in Israel thus far this winter, nearly no rain fell in the month of November, prompting the concern.

Last winter, after seven years of very little rain during which the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) reached dangerously low levels, the country saw near-record rainfalls which replenished the water levels significantly.  The makeup of the Kinneret is unique, in that below the fresh water there are salt water springs.  As long as there is enough fresh water supply in the Kinneret, the salt remains at the bottom of the lake and the water above remains potable.  As the Kinneret is the only freshwater source in Israel, this is very important.  If the water level drops too low, the water pressure from the freshwater will not be sufficient to keep the salt water down, and the Kinneret will become a saltwater lake.

This winter so far, Israel has experience higher than usual temperatures and unusually low rainfall.  In fact, only three years in Israel’s history have recorded such low rainfall in the north: 1946, 1962 and 2010.  “Compared to the past, it must be emphasized that the variance of rain in November is quite great, and there are quite a few years where there is very little rain [in November],” the Meteorological Service said, according to Walla. “However, the almost complete lack of rainfall in the month, as happened at some of the stations, is uncommon.”

Response to the rabbis’ calls for rain was enthusiastic.  Ynetnews.com reported that soldiers leaving prayers on Wednesday morning confirmed they had prayed for rain.  When asked about the request for prayers despite meteorologists predicting rain for this past weekend, a senior military Rabbinate official stated, “There will be those who respond with cynicism, but many soldiers did not ignore the request and understood its importance for benefit for the country they live in.  This is not a matter of superstitions or compulsion: He who didn’t want to pray, didn’t have to pray.”

Although the Rabbinate did not claim any credit for the change in weather, it does seem Someone took notice.  According to weather reports, this week will open with rain ranging from light showers to thunderstorms,  and colder weather, with snow expected to fall in the Hermon region.  This follows a weekend of rainy weather.  Of course, prayers for rains of blessing in their season are never amiss.

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