Q&A: Bless Upon Us
Bless Upon Us
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Should one, in your opinion, begin saying “Bless upon us” already from Simchat Torah, since the reason given in the Talmud for starting on the 7th of Cheshvan is no longer relevant? Or is this one of those Jewish laws that we’re stuck with until there is a Sanhedrin? Thank you.
Answer
I assume you mean “grant dew and rain for blessing.” Already in the time of the Talmud this was no longer relevant, and they still left it in place. True, they kept it because of “may the Temple be rebuilt speedily,” but today we know that even if the Temple were rebuilt within a day, you can get anywhere on the globe within a day, so the two-week delay has no significance. As with the second festival day in the Diaspora.
It is possible they left it in order to remind us of the Temple’s absence. In any case, it seems that the enactment remains in force.
Among Ashkenazim there is only this addition, but among Sephardim there is actually a different blessing for winter and summer. But the idea is similar. Thanks.