Dreaming of rain in Judaism: meaning
In Judaism people pray daily for rain for much of the year: the Amidah, the central prayer, contains the line who makes the wind blow and the rain fall. Rain in its season counts as blessing and as a sign of God's faithfulness. A rain dream is therefore often read favourably in the Jewish tradition.
Within this tradition
From the festival of Shemini Atzeret, in autumn, Jews add in prayer the words: who makes the wind blow and the rain fall. Around Passover, in spring, that is replaced by a request for dew. On Shemini Atzeret a special prayer for rain is also said, tefillat geshem. In the land of Israel, where rainfall determines the harvest, that was of vital importance.
Deuteronomy 11 connects rain with faithfulness: if you keep My commandments, I will give the rain of your land in its season, the early rain and the late rain. Rain is thus a sign of a good relationship between God and people. The Talmud even says that the day of rain is greater than the day of the resurrection of the dead, because rain is good for the righteous and the wicked alike.
Along those lines a dream about gentle rain in its season can be read as blessing and growth. Rain at the wrong moment, or a downpour doing damage, can ask what is out of balance in your life. And a dream about a circle praying for rain can stand for a community asking something together.
The famous story of Honi the circle-drawer tells of a man who drew a circle and refused to step out of it until God gave rain.
Common variations
Gentle rain in its season
Blessing and growth, like the early and late rain.
Rain at the wrong moment
The question of what is out of balance in your life.
Praying for rain together
A community asking something together.
Dew instead of rain
A quiet, small blessing, like the request for dew in spring.
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Write your dream in the appFrequently asked questions
Where do Jews pray for rain?
In the Amidah, from autumn until Passover, and with a special prayer for rain on Shemini Atzeret.
Who was Honi the circle-drawer?
A sage from the Talmud who in a drought drew a circle and refused to step out of it until God gave rain.
Is such a dream a message in Judaism?
The rabbis say many dreams come from the thoughts of your own heart. A dream can still prompt prayer or reflection.