Shemini Atzeret

Our ancestors did not want Sukkot to end, so they added an extra day to this festival—one more day to linger over the joys the holiday offered. Our celebrations look quite different now, but we too appreciate this day—and the special prayers for rain associated with it.

Feminine Stanzas for the Prayer for Rain

By Rabbi Ruth Gan Kagan | Prayer

Based on a translation of traditional stanzas by David de Sola Pool [more]

Found In: Shemini Atzeret

Tags: tefillat hageshem

Geshem: Verses for Our Mothers

By Mark Frydenberg, Translated by Rabbi Simhcha Roth | Prayer

On Shemini Atzeret, Jews offer a special prayer for rain (it is the beginning of the rainy season in Israel). The traditional version of this prayer refers obliquely to each of the forefathers and their relationship to water; this version highlights the foremothers. [more]