Babylonian Talmud, Ta'anit 7b
תלמוד בבלי מסכת תענית דף ז עמוד ב
אמר רבי חמא ברבי חנינא: גדול יום הגשמים כיום שנבראו שמים וארץ, שנאמר +ישעיהו מ"ה+ הרעיפו שמים ממעל ושחקים יזלו צדק תפתח ארץ ויפרו ישע וצדקה תצמיח יחד אני ה' בראתיו. בראתים לא נאמר, אלא בראתיו.
Rabbi Chama the son of Rabbi Chanina said: The day when rain falls is as great as the day on which heaven and earth were created, as the verse says (Isaiah 45:8), “Cause the heavens above to drip, and let the skies pour down righteousness; let the earth open, and let salvation and righteousness be fruitful; let it cause them to sprout together; I, the Lord, have created it.” ‘I created them [the heavens and earth]’ is not stated, but ‘I created it [the rain].’ [Artscroll and Judaica Press translation]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

1. Why is rain so important to Rabbi Chama the son of Rabbi Chanina?

2. What might this text teach us about the importance of food?

3. How can we relate this text to our own lives?

Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)