The First Rain

Question

Dear Respected Rabbi, Shalom! What do the commentaries state as to the first occurrence of rain? Did it begin only during Noah’s floods time? Were the mists – Gen 2:6 – the sole watering agents till the Noah’s floods? Thanks for your patient guidance for many years.

 

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    We are taught by our Sages in their explanation of Genesis 2:5 (see Rashi’s commentary there if possible), that Adam prayed for rain in the garden of Eden, and trees grew and herbs blossomed.

    Before Man was created, because there was no one to work the soil, there was no one to recognize the benefit of rain and pray to God for it. But when Man came, he recognized the importance of rain, he prayed to God for it, and rain fell, helping the vegetation to grow.

    This was the first rain.

    The mist mentioned in verse 6 there was used by God to mix with the earth in order to make Man from this “dough” – so to speak. But it was not rain.

    I hope this is clear and helpful.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team