Tonight, starting with the Ma’ariv prayer, an important change begins in the text of the Amidah prayer: the insertion of the phrase “V’ten tal u’matar”. This phrase translates as “Grant dew and rain for a blessing” and is inserted into the blessing for sustenance.
It is added into the Amidah’s blessing dedicated to sustenance, starting on the 7th of Cheshvan in Israel or on December 4th/5th (according to the Gregorian calendar) in the Diaspora, and continues until Passover. This insertion is added as a request for rain during the winter season, when precipitation is most crucial for the harvest and life in general. Rain here symbolizes both physical and spiritual provision.
This tradition is connected to the Jewish calendar and the onset of the winter rainy season, which is extremely important for Israel and its agriculture. Jews worldwide begin to pray daily for the granting of rain during this period. Rain symbolizes not only physical provision of water but also spiritual abundance and blessings that we ask of the Almighty for all nations and the entire earth.
We invite all who wish to join the prayers at the “Golden Rose” synagogue to together ask for blessings for the land and for all of us.
