THE SONG OF THE RAIN
The rain sings about how Hashem compassionately nourishes us even when we are not entirely worthy.
[Song 21] Rain (Ch. 2)
גְּשָׁמִים אוֹמְרִים. גֶּשֶׁם נְדָבוֹת תָּנִיף אֱלֹהִים נַחֲלָתְךָ וְנִלְאָה אַתָּה כוֹנַנְתָּהּ (תהילים סח י)
The Rains are saying, “You, Hashem, poured a generous rain, to strengthen your heritage when it languished.”
Commentary
The Torah clearly spells out that life-giving rainfall depends upon the nation’s
loyalty to Hashem. When it is withheld, it is a sign for the nation to repent and to
pray. Even so, frail man is far from perfect. When the rain falls, each drop sings
that the rains of "אלוקים – "God of justice – are in truth voluntary. He has mercy
on “His heritage that is weak” from hunger, even if they are not righteous enough,
to shower them with gifts of rain.
When we voluntarily open our hearts and palms in compassion to the needy,
Hashem – also voluntarily and uncritically – opens His floodgates of blessing wide-
open, and the song of the rain resounds through the heavens and the earth.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
Hashem created a world in which His creations are constantly dependent upon His continuing blessing. Rain is vital
for all life, yet He grants it only if we are deserving of it. This setup keeps us constantly on our best conduct. More so,
it makes us realize how Hashem fulfills our needs and wants, constantly, without which we would wither away.
We too have a part in this song. The blessings we make as a form of basic recognition of this are more important than
the bounty itself. It is for them that Hashem created His world.
The song develop a harmony when we too deal kindness and charity with those that need us. They are called in the
verse "נדבות גשם ,"rains of donations, hinting that they come in the merit of charity we donate to others that look
towards us for their sustenance, (Perek B’Shir.) When we open our mouths in praise and palms in compassion, Hashem
opens His floodgates of blessing wide-open for us and the song of the rains resounds through the heavens and the
earth.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.