VeSein Tal U’matar Livracha Thursday Night

Thursday night- those who currently reside in Chutz La’Aretz will begin reciting VeSein Tal U’Matar Livracha.

If one forgot to make this change, the above phrase may be added in the bracha of Shma Koleinu before the phrase “ki atoh shomeiah”.  If one completed the Shmoneh Esray without making the appropriate change, the entire Shemonah Esray must be repeated (Rabbi N. Bernstein).

(Hakhel)

As we begin, let us reflect–is not the standard term for rain ‘Geshem’–if so, why do we specifically request Matar in the bracha?

Although noting that the Aruch HaShulchan Orach Chaim 114:2) learns to the contrary, HaRav Chaim Friedlander, Z’tl brings the Rabbeinu Bachya (to Devorim 11:17), and the Malbim (in Yair Ohr–Os Mem) who teach that Geshem is related to the word Gashmiyus–and it refers only to rainwaters which arise from the waters of the seas and oceans which form clouds and then come back down to earth.  Matar, on the other hand, also refers to waters whose origins are in Shomayim itself–accordingly representing Hashem’s direct Hashgacha Pratis, as these waters would clearly not descend upon us from on high–unless there was a Ko’ach Ruchni especially making it happen!  Starting this evening–let us invest our proper Kavannah into the words we will recite over the winter months–as we especially ask Hashem to not only give us Geshem–but the Ruchniyus of Matar as well!