Thursday, January 11, 2007

geshem or matar

i was asked, why do we mention "geshem" but request "matar" any ideas?

6 comments:

Avi Lebowitz said...

the first cheshek shlomo (r' shlomo vilna) on the mesechta says that matar is usually used in the context of bracha so we ask for "matar". But when we mention the power of Hashem we use the term "geshem" which is more inclusive of all His powers. Similarly, "morid" is more inclusive, whereas "v'sain" (giving) implies bracha. that is why on shemini atzeres right after we say "morid hageshem" we ask "l'bracha v'lo l'klala", since the term "morid hageshem" implies even l'klala.

Yossie Schonkopf said...

yes, but why is matar a bracha

Avi Lebowitz said...

he says that most pesukim that mention "matar" are in the context of bracha.

Anonymous said...

As in Krias Shema?

Avi Lebowitz said...

good example.

Anonymous said...

Matar is a bracha cause it is always wanted rain is not always wanted