Since I have been in Israel, from the beginning of September, it has rained here in Israel more then it has rained in years past. The funny thing about it all is that the rain is earlier then it usually is. Traditionally from what I have been told, Israel gets a little rain on Rosh Hashanah and doesn't see it until December/January time. However, that has certainly not been the case this year. I have seen rain from heavy downpour to lite drizzle at least 5 or 6 times. It is an absolutely incredible thing to see.
My friend Judah wrote something on his blog that I would like to share that talks about rain in Israel and its connection to Judaism. I think it is exactly what I am trying to say about that power of the rain.
People often talk about how neat sunrises, scenic views such as cliffs overlooking valleys, and nature inspire their praying – all of those are creations and powers of God. Likewise, we recognize at the beginning of the Amidah, when we say "mashiva ha-ruach u-morid ha-gashem," that God has great power in allowing it to rain. It was also shortly before I said the prayer "v'tein tal u-matar livracha," asking God to let it rain for the good, that it began to rain. When it rained tonight, I was praying in the midst of God's great power. Rain in Israel is a huge blessing, and I hope that the prayers of all of Israel will be a source of blessing just like the rain God provides for us.
In Israel, people care a lot about the rain, more so then they do in the United States. Rain is a precious thing in this country that we constantly ask for it and don't get it. However, this year I have a feeling that we will be shocked to see how much rain we will get. Last night, Thursday, we had our weekly NBA(Nativ Basketball Association, games. As we all go to Gan Hapaamon to play and we stretch out and take the court, I notice some drops coming from the sky. I say to my team, play smart its going to get wet and slippery, which it certainly did. We ended up playing basketball in a very constant and heavy rain for about an hour and a half. It was one of the coolest things I have ever done. Growing up and throughout high school it was a normal occurrence for it to rain while playing soccer games or at practice. But, I had never ever played basketball in the rain. It was also a tradition that after those rainy and muddy games, my mother would put me or my brothers into a giant yellow trash bag because she didn't to get her car dirty. So as I was walking home from the games, I called my mother and asked her if she would meet me at the park and to bring a giant yellow trash bag, to which she responded with laughter.
Generally speaking, I don't praise the rain or any of the natural wonders that come to us, however now that I am in a country that celebrates and enjoys rain as much as they do, I have a new found appreciation for the rain.
May we continue to see much rain in the country for the remainder of my year and continue to get wet while just merely walking down the street in the middle of the day!!!
A preview of my Shabbat plans.
I was supposed to be staying in Jerusalem and be hosted for meals, but I decided I wanted to get out of Jerusalem. I am going to Ra'anana to stay with a friend who was a staff member on the summer program I hope to be working with this summer, USY on Wheels. I am excited to get a good Shabbat in and be with good company and hopefully great food. After Shabbat, we are driving back to Jerusalem as she is going to be staying on base for a night or so. Their was supposed to be a memorial concert/gathering in Tel Aviv for Yitzchak Rabin, who was the Prime Minister of Israel who was assassinated in 1995, but due to the rain it has been postponed to next weekend. So that is what I am up to for this Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom!!!
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