Q&A: Give Dew and Rain
Give Dew and Rain
Question
We begin two weeks after the end of Sukkot.
Why don’t we stop two weeks before Passover? (And really, one could say even more than two weeks before Passover, since someone coming with the Passover offering might have traveled even more slowly.)
Answer
https://www.dirshu.co.il/%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%95%D7%A2-%D7%9C%D7%90-%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%A1%D7%A7%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%A9%D7%90%D7%95%D7%9C-%D7%95%D7%AA%D7%9F-%D7%98%D7%9C-%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%98%D7%A8-%D7%9B%D7%91%D7%A8-%D7%A9/
https://www.kipa.co.il/%D7%A9%D7%90%D7%9C-%D7%90%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%A8%D7%91/%D7%94%D7%A4%D7%A1%D7%A7%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%92%D7%A9%D7%9D-%D7%91%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%9C-%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%99-%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%9C/
Discussion on Answer
There are quite a few questions that weren’t asked in the Talmud, and the answers to that can vary. In this case, perhaps the reality was clear to them, and because of our distance from it, it looks to us like a difficulty that needs resolving.
If so, then דווקא the plausible explanation is a rather negative one:
They wanted the pilgrims to clear out of the Temple as quickly as possible.
And they didn’t want large numbers showing up for Passover.
And why? Because the pilgrims only make a mess for the priests. Or out of concern that the pilgrims would discover the corruption going on there in the Temple.
Thanks.
From the answers there I understand that these are later conjectures and reasoned answers.
Was this question not asked in the Talmud? (And if not, then why not? After all, it’s a simple and obvious question.)