Waitting for rain 13-11-11

Dear Friends,

That's it. It's been two weeks since Sukkot, all of the pilgrims should have arrived home by now, we've all prepared our homes for winter, and now we need some rain!
So we could, should and must hope, invite, dance and pray for rain!!!!
Stories I've heard:
About a hundred years ago in the USA Charles Hatfield, a former sewing machine salesman, claimed that he could cause rain to fall by shooting chemicals into the sky. San Diego was going through 2 years of draught and invited him, for pay, to come and bring them some rain. Several days after he began his work there was such a rainfall that the city received approx 3.5 million dollars worth of damage claims (due, of course, to the rain).

About a thousand years ago, China was going through 7 years of draught. The ruler at the time, Chang-Tang of the Shang dynasty, consulted a fortune teller that said that a human sacrifice was the only way to satisfy the gods so that they would make rain. Chang-Tang, being a just and fair ruler, decided that he himself will be the one sacrificed to the gods. On his way to the sacrifial event, he prayed to the gods and requested that they examine his actions towards his people and his wives. He asked the gods whether his political and economic decisions had been good and whether he had acted for the best interests of his people... a moment before the sacrifice was to begin the skies opened and the rain began to pour....
Also in Judaism Honi Hameagel caused rain to fall....
Also, the state of Israel needs rain. As stated in scripture "a land of hills and valleys, drinks water from the rain of heaven". This is true not only in scriptural time. We also need rain now.

A big question - Is there is a link between our behavior and rain?
Why take a chance. So, Let's be good people (it also can't harm) and lets bring the rain. Each one in their own way and according to their own belief.

More detailed explanations of rain dances from around the world: http://maggiesgarden.co.il/newsletter18-10-09/
"בגשמי אורה תאיר אדמה,
בגשמי ברכה תברך אדמה,
בגשמי גילה תגיל אדמה..."
With big hopes for good from people and from the sky.
Have a good week,
Yours,
Maggie

Expected in our weekly baskets:American iceberg lettuce

Cucumbers - perhaps a bit less

Tomatoes - may be a bit less

Green onion

Sweet Potatoes

Butternut squash or pumpkin

Kyle or Chard

Green onion

And parsley

And maybe potatoes

Larger ones also

Celery

Mustard

Cabbage

Fruit baskets

Granny Smith apples and Ettinger Avocados