I know this is just coincidence, but yesterday, on Shemini Atzeret, we davened for rain, and added the prayer for rain into the daily liturgy. Today, for the first time this season, it rained. Sukkot was absolutely beautiful (though at times a bit warm). When I was a kid, I learned that Sukkot was in the fall and not the spring, because the weather was colder and more temperamental in the fall, so it showed more faith to have it then. Though this is a lovely sentiment, that doesn't really apply here in Israel -- Sukkot week was much cooler than the summer, but the rain hadn't started yet. It was probably the most pleasant weather-week since we arrived!
Regardless, it is good to be in Israel!
