The Gemara (Taanis 2a) states that there are three phenomena that do not follow any laws that Hashem set into nature but are contingent entirely upon Hashem’s direct intervention: death childbirth and rainfall. 

Because these three phenomena are not subject to specific laws of nature it stands to reason that they cannot be predicted.

Modern science has borne out what this gemara teaches. In general natural events occur based on a set of rules that do not change. In most scientific disciplines scientists can predict the results of almost any process with great certainty. For instance a physicist testing a physical system can predict the results of his efforts as long as he takes into account the various forces that are at play in the system.

An exception to this rule is weather prediction. Weather prediction is so complex and involves so many factors that even the most proficient meteorologists are unable to predict the weather — even for the immediate future — with perfect precision. And they are certainly unable to provide an accurate long-range weather forecast.

Why is the weather so much less predictable than other natural forces? The Torah provides the answer: the behavior of the weather — and rainfall in particular — reflects the behavior of mankind. Hashem determines the weather based on people’s behavior (especially their conduct in interpersonal relationships) and adjusts the weather according to what human beings deserve to receive.

The Mishnah in Maseches Taanis refers to the phenomenon of rainfall as “gevuros geshamim” which literally means “the might of rain.” Rabbi Ovadiah Bartenura explains: “Rainfall is one of HaKadosh Baruch Hu’s mighty deeds as the verse states ‘He does great things that cannot be estimated wonders that cannot be counted; He provides rain to the land and sends water upon the streets’ (Iyov 5). That is why it is called gevuros geshamim.”

In order to gain a better understanding of the wondrous nature of rainfall let us study the natural processes that create weather patterns.

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