The festival of Sh'mini Atzeret begins this Wednesday evening. The festival includes the celebration of Simchat Torah, the day on which we finish reading the last verses of the Torah and immediately begin reading from the first. Sh'mini Atzeret is also the festival on which we begin to pray for rain in the Sh'moneh Esrei (also called the Tefilah or the Amidah), the central prayer of Jewish worship. A poetic prayer called "Tefilat HaGeshem," the "Prayer for Rain," is recited on this festival to mark the transition in the liturgy. Here is a contemporary version of the prayer.
As the last trickles of this year's Torah rise from Your well,
We prepare for the renewal of the endless rhythm.
Just as water cycles from ocean to cloud, from rain to river,
Your Torah travels through our lives, a life-giving flow.
Do not withhold the flow of Your water!
When we were a nation newly redeemed,
You parted the waters for us to emerge.
The birth waters spilled into the desert's sands
And we became Your possession, a nation born of water.
Do not withhold the flow of Your water!
By the waters of the Jabbok, Jacob became Israel.
He struggled with Your angel and prevailed.
So may we continue the struggle to know You
And cross the waters to find Your Presence!
Do not withhold the flow of Your water!
The waters of revelation continue to flow.
From ancient prophets to today's insights,
Your Torah still gushes to nourish our souls.
The ripples of Sinai still lap on our shores.
Do not withhold the flow of Your water!
O make us trees planted by the waters of Your Torah!
We will soak up Your truth to bloom flowers of joy.
Our leaves shine bright green, reflecting Your power,
As we immerse in the Mikveh of Israel.
Do not withhold the flow of Your water!
For You are Adonai, our God, who blows the wind and brings down the rain!
As the last trickles of this year's Torah rise from Your well,
We prepare for the renewal of the endless rhythm.
Just as water cycles from ocean to cloud, from rain to river,
Your Torah travels through our lives, a life-giving flow.
Do not withhold the flow of Your water!
When we were a nation newly redeemed,
You parted the waters for us to emerge.
The birth waters spilled into the desert's sands
And we became Your possession, a nation born of water.
Do not withhold the flow of Your water!
By the waters of the Jabbok, Jacob became Israel.
He struggled with Your angel and prevailed.
So may we continue the struggle to know You
And cross the waters to find Your Presence!
Do not withhold the flow of Your water!
The waters of revelation continue to flow.
From ancient prophets to today's insights,
Your Torah still gushes to nourish our souls.
The ripples of Sinai still lap on our shores.
Do not withhold the flow of Your water!
O make us trees planted by the waters of Your Torah!
We will soak up Your truth to bloom flowers of joy.
Our leaves shine bright green, reflecting Your power,
As we immerse in the Mikveh of Israel.
Do not withhold the flow of Your water!
For You are Adonai, our God, who blows the wind and brings down the rain!
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