For the source text click/tap here: Taanit 6
To download, click/tap here: PDF
One of the promises that we repeat daily in our recitation of the Kriyat Shema is that the reward for appropriate behavior is rain in its proper time – yoreh u’malkosh.
Our Gemara discusses these terms and their meaning. The yoreh, according to the baraita, is the first rain of the year, which occurs in the month of Marcheshvan, and the malkosh is the rain that ends the season in Nissan.
In truth, establishing the time that rain normally falls based on the Jewish calendar is inaccurate, at best, given the fluctuation that exists between these months and the solar-based, Gregorian calendar.
Historically, rain has fallen in Israel as early as October (which sometime coincides with the end of Tishrei) and as late as the end of April (which sometimes falls out in the middle of Iyyar).
We explore the rains of Israel (and also Arizona and Mumbai!)