Blessing or Curse? The Truth About Rain on Sukkot

Sukkot. The time of year when we build our cozy little outdoor huts, wave our leafy lulav & etrog, and invite friends and family to feast under the stars. But wait – what's this? The sky darkens, the winds pick up, and just as you're about to dig into your challah, the first raindrop hits your nose. Is rain on Sukkot a bad omen? And what should you do if it does rain on Sukkot? Let's dive in.

According to the Mishnah, rain on Sukkot is like a master tossing a jug of water in his servant's face to show he’s not welcome. Imagine you’re all set to serve your Master (that’s G-d) in the Sukkah , and He “pours water in your face” by making it rain on Sukkot. It’s like saying, “Nope, not today!” But is it really that bad if there's a little rain on Sukkot? Well, let's see...

The Mishnah was written in Israel, where rain on Sukkot is as rare as a snowstorm in July. So, when it rains on Sukkot there, it’s kind of a big deal. But in places like Europe and North America, where autumn showers are a dime a dozen, rain on Sukkot is just, well, rain. No need to read into it more than you’d read into a weather forecast.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe once said that rain on Sukkot only gets ominous attention if it pours non-stop, making it impossible to enjoy a meal in the Sukkah. If it’s just a passing shower, rain on Sukkot is nothing to worry about – think of it as a free car wash for your Sukkah . And remember, rain is usually a sign of blessing – just ask your garden.

If it starts raining right at the  onset of Sukkot out of the blue, it’s like a master suddenly dumping water on his servant (remember the Mishnah earlier on?). But if it’s been raining before the holiday and continues to rain on Sukkot , then the downpour is just considered business as usual. So, no need to stress over a little drizzle. 

Bear in mind that in a Jewish leap year, when the festival arrives later in the season, rain on Sukkot is more likely. Rabbi Moses Sofer explains that in such years, rain on Sukkot isn’t a bad omen because we adjusted the calendar properly. It’s just the rainy season doing its thing. In that case, rain on Sukkot is, again, nothing to worry about!

Now, let's talk practicalities. Sitting in the Sukkah is the only mitzvah (commandment) where if you're bothered by it, you're completely off the hook. So if there's rain on Sukkot, and sitting in the Sukkah under those conditions bothers you, you can head inside without guilt …unless it’s the first night of Sukkot.

The first night of Sukkot is special – you must make kiddush and eat at least a kezayit (olive-sized portion) of bread – ideally an egg-sized portion – in the Sukkah on the first night. Even if it’s raining. Some, including the Bikurei Yosef, say that if it rains on Sukkot during the first night, it’s actually a blessing, as G-d wants you to tough it out for some extra brownie points. Although others, like the Rambam, think it’s just the opposite – only on the first night of Sukkot is rain a bad omen, but who’s keeping score?