Tefillas Geshem

Questions on Tefillas Geshem:

1. What does Tefillas Geshem mean?
2. When is Tefillas Geshem said?
3. Why is Tefillas Geshem said at that particular time?
4. The order of Tefillas Geshem goes with the letters of the Aleph-Beis in the correct order and goes from Aleph to Tof. What lies behind this?
5. We mention in Tefillas Geshem the merit of several different people. Who are they and why specifically mention them?
6. What lies behind the word “Geshem”?
7. Why say Tefillas Geshem by the Mussaf davening?
8. What is the segula associated with the opening of the Oron for the chazal’s saying of Tefillas Geshem?
9. Who was the first person to daven for geshem, rain?
10. What changes do we immediately do in the Shemona Esra davening after the saying of Tefillas Geshem?
11. What further changes in the Shemona Esra are made for geshem, rain, and when? Why not make all the changes at one time?
12. Why do we need to pray for rain at all?
13. Why in the addition for the Shemona Esra do we mention about the “blowing of the wind” as well as “who brings down the rain”?
14. The end of Tefillas Geshem mentions a double phrasing of “for blessing and not for a curse”. Why the double wording as we can deduce that if it is for a blessing then automatically it is not for a curse?
15. What lies behind the different customs of how to pronounce the word – “geshem” or “goshem”?

Ideas for answers on Tefillas Geshem:

1. It means the prayer for rain.
2. Tefillas Geshem is said by the Mussaf davening of Shemini Atzeres.
3. On Sukkos the world is judged for the amount of rain that will be for the next year. (Mishna Rosh Hashana 16a). Since rain on Sukkos is a bad sign therefore we do not pray for rain during Sukkos. However, at the next possible opportunity, namely straight after Sukkos on Shemini Atzeres, this is when we say Tefillas Geshem.
4. Rain comes from above to below, from heaven down to earth. The Aleph symbolises the starting point that is from above. We try with Tefillas Geshem to pray that the rain should start from above and come downwards. We are also expressing that in the merit of the Aleph-Beis that is seen in the Jews keeping the Torah and Mitzvos we should merit rain.
5. We mention in Tefillas Geshem that rain should come in the merit of the three Avos, Moshe and Aaron and the twelve Shevotim.
6. The word “Geshem” means “rain” and is related to the word “gashmiyos” that means materialism. Rain is essential for the functioning of the physical world and growth from the ground to enable all creatures to have food and drink.
8. Perhaps the idea is like the Bach to Rashi Taanis 2b says. He says that Geshem is also parnassa, livelihood, since through rain produce grows and brings sustenance to the world.
9. Odom was the first person to daven for rain (see Rashi to Bereishis 2:5). We see from here the essential function of man is to daven and also how rain is essential for living which is why Odom needed to daven for rain.
10. We change from saying Moirid Hatol to Moirid HaGeshem. This change stays in place throughout the winter until the first day of Pesach when Tefillas Tal is said.
11. A further change is made at a later time. This depends on whether you live in Eretz Yisroel or outside Eretz Yisroel as to when exactly this change is made. The addition is the adding of Visen Tal Umotor in the brocho of Borech Oleinu. The reason why this addition is said only later is because the Jews who had gone up to the Beis Hamikdosh to be Oleh Regel for Sukkos needed time to travel back home. During those times, the roads were made from mud and rain would mean it would be more difficult to get home. Therefore the full request for rain was delayed until a later date in order to give them time to get safely back home. (See Mishna Taanis 10a)
12. We have already mentioned that rain is essential for the smooth running of the world.
14. The Mata Levi explains in the Machzor Rabba that “blessing” refers to rain in Eretz Yisroel while “not for a curse” refers to rain outside of Eretz Yisroel. Why though is there this difference between them?