From the Rav’s Desk: The law if one accidentally said Vesein Tal Umatar or Mashiv Haruach

1. Question: [Tuesday, 8^th Iyar, 5781]

I absentmindedly recited Vesein Tal Umatar [after Pesach in the summer months] and remembered a few moments later. What is the proper order for me to do? Should I go back to Bareich Aleinu and say it properly, or should I simply say Vesein Bracha in Shema Koleinu? And on that note is the law any different regarding if I said Mashiv Haruach… and remembered right away.

Answer:

If one said Vesein Tal Umatar after Pesach he is required to go back and repeat from the beginning of Bareich Aleinu. This applies whether he has already finished the blessing and remembered sometime later in Shemoneh Esrei, or remembered right away prior to even finishing the blessing of Shema Koleinu, in either case one must return to the beginning of the blessing of Bareich Aleinu and say it properly from there. If one already concluded Shemoneh Esrei, then he must repeat it from the beginning.

The law in the Diaspora in a country that needs rain even in the summer: In the Diaspora, if one said Vesein Tal Umatar after Pesach, then if one is in a country that as a whole does not need rain during the summer, it follows the same ruling as above, and one must go back to Bareich Aleinu or repeat Shemoneh Esrei. If, however, one’s country as a whole requires rain even during the summer months, then one who said Vesein Tal Umatar during those months is not required to go back and repeat from the beginning of Bareich Aleinu. Nevertheless, if one wills, he may repeat the Shemoneh Esrei as a Tefilas Nedava.

The law if one accidently said Mashiv Haruach Umorid Hageshem: If one accidently said Mashiv Haruach Umorid Hageshem then if he remembered prior to concluding the blessing of Michayeh Hameisim, he is required to return to the beginning of Ata Gibur. If he already completed the blessing of Michayeh Hameisim, then he is required to repeat from the beginning of Shemoneh Esrei. This applies even in countries that always require rain during the summer, and thus their prayer remains valid if they said Visein Tal Umatar Livracha in the blessing of Bareich Aleinu, nevertheless if they said Morid Hageshem in the blessing of Ata Gibor, they must repeat from the beginning of Shemoneh Esrei as stated above. 

Sources: Regarding Vesein Tal Umatar: Admur 117:3; Michaber 117:3; Rambam 10:8 and Taanis 3a regarding Morid Hageshem; Regarding countries in the Diaspora that need rain even the summer see: Admur 117:1; Michaber 117:2; Rama 117:2; Rosh 4:10; Regarding Mashiv Haruach: Admur 114:4-5; Michaber 114:4; Taanis 3b; Ketzos Hashulchan 21:11