Shemini Atzeret

Restarting the Torah comes at the beginning of the rainy season in Israel. On the day before Simchat Torah (or on the holiday itself) is a celebration called Shemini Atzeret. On this day it’s traditional to say a special blessing for rain to remind ourselves how all growing things depend on water.

Mizrahi (Middle Eastern) Jews say a special prayer that describes different kinds of rain:

With rains of light, brighten the earth.
With rains of blessing, bless the land.
With joyful rains, fertilize the soil.
With singing rains, make the ground sing.
With rains of life, bring life to the land.
With rains of goodness, help reclaim the earth.

Shemini Atzeret​ begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 and ends in the evening on Friday, October 25, 2024.