Happy Rain Day

October 19, 2005 - 11:43 AM by Israelity

Today is the first day of Israel’s rainy season, at least here in Jerusalem, and for me when it rains Jerusalem becomes a different movie: instead of an action-filled Mediterranean caper it becomes a gritty British drama, coloured grey rather than golden, with puddles and people in cars staring through steamed up windows.

I love the rain. It reminds me of England without me actually having to be there, visiting my parents and having to field questions about “my life” and whether I still love living in Israel, a question that amazes me since I have been here over 11 years, and I think it can’t be dismissed anymore as “a phase she’s going through”.

Anyhow, back to the rain. I just walked home from a friend’s place, refusing her offer of an umbrella or a hat. What’s a little water? But then, I’m English by birth, I know that water can’t hurt me. However, the streets, previously bustling, were suddenly empty, only a few brave souls under umbrellas, the rest peering from doorways as if the heavens were sending down thunderbolts rather than cleansing, refreshing raindrops.

I love the smell during the rain, and the streams of water running down the streets. I like feeling the rain on my face, the dampness in my clothes, the contrast when I get inside and suddenly all is dry and warm. I like walking in puddles with my boots on. I like having a bath without too much guilt, knowing that as I drain it the Kinneret is being refilled, even if only slightly (to see the current water level, go to http://my.ynet.co.il/pic/kineret/).

Rain in Hebrew is “geshem” and I was puzzled when I first learned the verb l’hitgashem, which is from the same root as rain, but means something like “to make real”. “l’hitgashem et hahalomot” is to realise your dreams. How wonderful, I thought, because rain is very real, something you can touch. Rain is not an abstract idea or concept, rain is definite and beautiful, it feeds and nourishes the land, fills up our water sources, cleans off the dust that has been settling upon us here on the edge of the desert all through the sticky summer. Rain gives us a fresh start, and we should be out in it, stamping through puddles, turning our faces up to the sky and feeling it on our cheeks. Don’t stay indoors, get out there and get wet. Happy Rain Day.

Share with others