i can't believe we live in the 21st century and yet people, living in modern societies and sharing the same religion with me, still cling to primitive, pagan, paleolithic, superstitious magic rituals to bring rain. What on earth do these people learn in their schools? If they want rain, then cloud seed etc - like the Chinese - they don't pray, they turn to technology! And to think that this superstitious nonsense is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the "religious" schools' curriculum here in Israel.

May Hashem listen to the wonderful bne Akiba youth s prayer for rain.

if you ask for forgivenis.

Jews abroad won't be able to help us with this one, since it's a problem of our own making. One only need look at the haredim to see the vicious hatred and sin that pervades our society. A few days ago a Shas MK had the temerity to suggest that some haredim should actually go out and work for their parnasa - something the great rabbis have said for the past two millenia. What happened? His own party leader erupted with such vicious public hatred that I was embarrassed to have my kids listen to the news! Eli Yishai showed how low the haredi world has sunk, when he said in a news interview that even this guy's wife wouldn't vote for him if he wasn't Shas. These are the good virtues (midot tovot) that we are teaching the haredim? To slander each other in public when you don't agree with somebody? With religious leaders like we have, it's no wonder Hashem is punishing us.

May G-d show you that you are wrong.

Thanks Y.Net! You lived up to your high standards again! You have final have an item that is for the benefit of Am Israel and yes!!!! You have let this idiotic reply in for all to read! If it was a Yesha reply NO NO , but super anti religious left or enemy cousin sends it in ...it's OK. If it was a Hareidi reply he would get 5 years hard labour for inciting anti national / zionist activities. Please let some kind person supply this person with a one ticket to Gaza! AND DON'T BRING HIM BACK! How long would his freedom of speech last there? Chanukah Samaeach Am Israel!!! With Goschmei Bracha!

In addition to the world wide commotion, I understand that rabbis fly 1000 feet up with a beauty queen in quest for rain ?.I'll go up 2000 feet with a gorgeous doll for anything --- come rain, shine or snow ! So far the rabbis have been unable to "deliver " the same or other numerous requests for the past 2000 years?, 1000 years, 100 years?, yesterday?, today?. As usual they are always full of " hot air ", and it's always their best shot.!

God why are you so cheap? You can do anything. It would be so much better than just raining water.

This is a sad joke. Is this the 21st century we are in? Instead of relying on religious mumbo-jumbo we should have long ago built many desalinization plants, just like the Gulf states did.

I wonder why the only date we use the solar calendar is 5 of december to say BARECH ALEINU . May be it's because in 5 of december it's start raining in Israel?

We get major flooding almost every year.

Have ordered the universe to coincide with the tshuva of His people? If He can create a human body from base elements then He can also order the clouds to come and rain when there is true tshuva. So what's the problem?

nowonder it minus tempretur here, go to Israel sheesh, shoveling snow everymorning is no fun.

With all due respect to the Rabbis, we have the technology..We have the capability..We have the "Know-How"..We have some of the most talented, brightest people in the World, solving these issues in the private sector..Its the incompetent bureaucratic laden and corrupt Government and clerks that have been talking about this crisis for the last 20 yrs. and have squandered precious resources and time. Heads should be rolling, but alas, this is Israel, NO ONE TAKES RESPONSIBILITY!!

if you change your ways. G-D knows who you are.

why not publish the text in pdf form or otherwise so we can all download a copy in chutz la'aretz Chag Urim Samayach

The Twelfth Article of Faith is a fascinating part of the Jewish faith. The question that is the most interesting regarding the prophecy relates to the potency of the connection of Moshiach to G-d. If G-d wants a certain form of sovereignty to reign from the Holy City then he may force certain things to unfold. Whether the leaders of the Jewish people acquiesce to his wishes is the test. Is the idea of good reign for good rain far fetched or correct ? What is the value of good rainfall for the people of the Holy Land ? This question is of the highest metaphysical order. I think G-d is going to help answer this question in the very near future. P.S. Melbourne has had its best spring rainfall for over twenty years. Australia's drought has broken all around the nation. Our dam levels were at a dangerous 24% level eighteen months ago. They are now at 54%. The vast and dry Great Southern Land has been blessed lately. Thank G-d ! I never underestimate his power.

Last week rabais in Israel elevated prayers for rain also.Looks like God is not listening to prayers from jews that just care for the interest of certain groups in Israel,who dont serve in army and dont work to support their families,So instead of rain God is delivering balls of fire.

Arnold, How do you know that the response to our prayers is fire? Your comment gives G-d the traditional Jewish believe that the Creator of this universe is actively involved with lives. That's a great start! Caused and effect is also a basic belief, but to say the we see the big picture and can second guess Hashem is certainly persumptious. Since you live in Israel, you must value being Jewish and living there. If you would have asked a holocaust surviver in 1944 whether he could believe that from the fires of Aushwitz the land of Israel would once again become a Jewish state and become the most populous Jewish country in the world, he might have the same attitude as you have. Prayer is our ultimate connection to Hashem and connection to Hashem has been the goal of the Jewish People since Mt. Sinai. That is not going to change now. Let's redouble our prayers, gather strength for the events of Chanukah, Purim and other times where Jewish prayer lead to Divine favor and the downfall of our enemies and collectively turn these fires into Peace and prosperity for Jews around the world. Hashem is trying to get our attention. What are we going to do about it? Please feel free to continue the discussion. Hatzlacha and Bracha

Dear Friends Worldwide, Let's thank G-d for the rain in Israel this past weekend and may it continue!