V'ten tal u'matar li-vrachah: Thoughts on dew

Abstract

Beginning with the first week in December and continuing until the first day of Pesach, the phrase 'v'ten tal u'mattar livrachah"-"and give dew and rain for a blessing," is incorporated into the ninth blessing (Bircat Ha-Shanim) of the shemoneh esre. This blessing commences with the words, "Bless for us, G-d, this year and all the kinds of its fruits," and continues with "and give dew and rain for a blessing." "V'ten tal u'matar li-vrachah" is a "request" ("Ha-She'elah") for economic sustenance through agricultural productivity, and, as such, differs from the phrase "mashiv ha-ruach u'morid ha-gashem"- "Who causes the wind to blow and the rain to fall," recited at the beginning of the shemoneh esre, which is an acknowledgment of the power of G-d.