Serieses in on Rain in Israel
Rainfall and the Power of Collective Kindness
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l | Sivan 5768
The Qualities Needed to Bring Rain
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l | Iyar 5768
Heavenly Bounty, Earthly Justice
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l | Nissan 5768
Profiting from Basic Necessities
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l | Adar 2 5768
Lessons on Rain in Israel
Rainfall and the Power of Collective Kindness
The people fasted for a number of days, however no rain fell. Then Rabbi Tanchuma went and spoke to them. He said, “My children, fill yourselves with compassion for one another, and the Holy One, blessed be He, will be filled with compassion for you.”
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l | Sivan 5768
The Qualities Needed to Bring Rain
Abba Chilkiya exemplified the sort of qualities needed to petition God for rain. He displayed an impeccable work ethic, caution with the property of others, and modesty regarding his ability to bring rain. Through him, Israel was blessed with rain.
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l | Iyar 5768
Heavenly Bounty, Earthly Justice
The number nine represents detail, the finest level of detail possible. It represents an understanding of the most personal of human worries. In her prayer, Hannah mentions God's name nine times, an expression of God's concern for all human requests.
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l | Nissan 5768
Profiting from Basic Necessities
Wherever labor and effort are involved, demanding payment is justified. The sages sought to prevent effortless retailing. However, when marketing grew and store owners developed sales expenses, Jewish law recognized their right to receive payment.
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l | Adar 2 5768
A Blessing in the Marketplace
All blessings necessitate protection. Therefore, our sages took steps to protect produce. One of these is the prohibition against "agirat perot." That is, it is forbidden to buy fruits when they are cheap in order to sell them when the prices rise.
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l | Adar 2 5768
Rain...and the Coin in One's Pocket
When rain falls we should sense that our livelihood is falling from heaven, as if we are being blessed with an improved salary. In the words of our sages (Taanit 8b): "A rainy day is so great that even the coin in one's pocket is blessed through it."
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l | Adar 1 5768
The Might of Rain
"The day of rainfall is as great as the day on which heaven and earth were created." The sages liken rain to the creation of the world: Just as the expression "gevura," might, is used in relation to Creation, so is it used in relation to rainfall.
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l | 5768
