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Deuteronomy 11:14 - Divine rain brings abundance.

Deuteronomy 11:14 - דברים 11:14

Hebrew Text

וְנָתַתִּי מְטַר־אַרְצְכֶם בְּעִתּוֹ יוֹרֶה וּמַלְקוֹשׁ וְאָסַפְתָּ דְגָנֶךָ וְתִירֹשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶךָ׃

English Translation

that I will give you the rain of your land in its due season, the early rain and the late rain, that thou mayst gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thy oil.

Transliteration

Venatati metar-artzekhem be'ito yoreh umalkosh ve'asafta deganecha vetiroshcha veyitzharecha.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְנָתַתִּ֧י מְטַֽר־אַרְצְכֶ֛ם בְּעִתּ֖וֹ יוֹרֶ֣ה וּמַלְק֑וֹשׁ וְאָסַפְתָּ֣ דְגָנֶ֔ךָ וְתִירֹֽשְׁךָ֖ וְיִצְהָרֶֽךָ׃
וְנָתַתִּ֧י מְטַֽר־אַרְצְכֶ֛ם בְּעִתּ֖וֹ יוֹרֶ֣ה וּמַלְק֑וֹשׁ וְאָסַפְתָּ֣ דְגָנֶ֔ךָ וְתִירֹֽשְׁךָ֖ וְיִצְהָרֶֽךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Promise of Timely Rain

The verse (Devarim 11:14) describes Hashem's promise to provide rain in its proper time—"yoreh" (the early rain in Marcheshvan) and "malkosh" (the late rain in Nisan)—ensuring agricultural prosperity. Rashi explains that this blessing is contingent upon Israel's observance of mitzvot, as the previous verse commands, "to love Hashem and serve Him with all your heart." The timely rains symbolize divine favor and the direct relationship between human actions and heavenly response (Rashi on Devarim 11:13-14).

Yoreh and Malkosh: Agricultural and Spiritual Significance

  • Yoreh (יוֹרֶה): Falls in Cheshvan to soften the earth for plowing and sowing. The Ramban (Devarim 11:14) notes that this rain demonstrates Hashem's precision, as it arrives exactly when needed for the first stage of the agricultural cycle.
  • Malkosh (מַלְקוֹשׁ): Falls in Nisan to nourish crops before harvest. The Talmud (Ta'anit 6a) teaches that these rains are even greater than the early rains, as they bring crops to full maturity.

Grain, Wine, and Oil: Symbols of Blessing

The triad of dagan (grain), tirosh (wine), and yitzhar (oil) represents the fullness of material blessing. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 43) connects these to spiritual rewards: grain sustains the body, wine gladdens the heart (Tehillim 104:15), and oil symbolizes wisdom (Menachot 85b). Their abundance reflects Israel's faithfulness to the covenant.

Conditionality of the Promise

The Rambam (Hilchot Ta'anit 1:1-3) emphasizes that this promise is not automatic. If Israel strays, the rains may be withheld (as warned in Devarim 11:17). The Talmud (Berachot 35a) further states that rain is withheld when the people neglect Torah study, linking physical sustenance to spiritual commitment.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Ta'anit 6a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the importance of rain in its proper time as a blessing from God, and how the early and late rains are essential for agricultural prosperity.
📖 Sifrei Devarim 42
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the covenantal blessings tied to obedience to God's commandments, particularly focusing on the agricultural benefits promised for faithfulness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'early rain and late rain' mean in Deuteronomy 11:14?
A: The 'early rain' (יורה - 'Yoreh') refers to the rains that fall in the autumn (around Tishrei-Marcheshvan), which help soften the ground for planting. The 'late rain' (מלקוש - 'Malkosh') refers to the spring rains (around Nisan-Iyar) that help crops grow before harvest. Rashi explains that these rains are a blessing from Hashem for observing the mitzvot.
Q: Why is rain mentioned as a blessing in the Torah?
A: Rain is a sign of divine favor in the Torah because Eretz Yisrael depends on seasonal rains for agriculture, unlike Egypt which relied on the Nile. Rambam (Hilchot Ta'anit 1:1-3) teaches that rain symbolizes sustenance and divine providence—when we follow Hashem's will, He provides rain in its proper time, ensuring abundance.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: The Sages (Ta'anit 2a) connect rain to spiritual merit—prayers for rain (like in Shemoneh Esrei's 'Bareich Aleinu') remind us that material blessings depend on our relationship with Hashem. Even today, Orthodox Jews pray for rain in Israel during the winter months, recognizing that sustenance comes from divine providence.
Q: What are 'grain, wine, and oil' symbolic of in this verse?
A: These three staples represent physical and spiritual sustenance. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 43) notes that grain (דגן) signifies basic nourishment, wine (תירוש) represents joy, and oil (יצהר) symbolizes wisdom (as olive oil lights the Menorah). Together, they show Hashem provides all needs when we follow His ways.
Q: Does this promise of rain only apply to ancient Israel?
A: The Talmud (Ta'anit 10a) states that rain in Eretz Yisrael remains a sign of divine blessing for all generations. While the verse addresses the Israelites entering the land, Ramban (Devarim 11:14) explains that the principle extends to any era—observance of Torah brings natural and spiritual blessings, particularly in the Holy Land.