Vesein Tal Umatar

Saying Vesein Tal Umatar Levaracha:

A. When does one begin saying Vesein Tal Umatar?[1]

Eretz Yisrael: Those who live in Eretz Yisrael begin saying Vesein Tal Umatar Levracha starting from Maariv of the 7th of MarCheshvon.

Diaspora: Those living in the Diaspora begin saying Vesein Tal Umatar etc on the 60th day past the beginning of Tekufas Tishrei. [Practically it is to be said from the night before the 5th of December, and in years with 29 days in February it is said from the night before the 6th of December. This year [5775/2014] it is begun to be said in the Diaspora on Thursday night, the 5th of December, 13th of Kisleiv.]

B. If one said it prior to its allowed time:[2]

If one said Vesein Tal Umatar Levracha prior to its allowed time there is a difference in law between Eretz Yisrael and the Diaspora.

Eretz Yisrael: In Eretz Yisrael if one said Vesein Tal Umatar prior to its allowed time, which is any time between Chol Hamoed Pesach and the 7th of Marcheshven, one is required to go back and repeat from the beginning of Bareich Aleinu. If one already concluded Shemoneh Esrei then he must repeat it.

Diaspora: In the Diaspora if one said Vesein Tal Umatar prior to its allowed time, which is any time between Chol Hamoed Pesach and the 5th/6th of December, then if one is in a country that as a whole does not require rain prior to the 5th of December, it follows the same ruling as Eretz Yisrael, and one must go back to Bareich Aleinu or repeat Shemoneh Esrei. If however one’s country as a whole requires rain prior to the 5th of December 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 Barecih Aleinu. Likewise in such countries if one said Vesein Tal Umatar after the 7th of Cheshven [even if his country does not currently need rain but it is a time of rain[3]], he is not required to go back. Nevertheless if one wills he may repeat the Shemoneh Esrei as a Tefilas Nedava.

C. If one forgot to say when it is supposed to be said:[4]

One who forgot to say Vesein Tal Umatar during the period that it is to be said, which is in Eretz Yisrael between the 7th of Marcheshven and Pesach, and in the Diaspora between the 5th/6th of December and Pesach, the following is the ruling: If one remembered [prior to saying Hashem’s name in Bareich Aleinu, then he is to say it in the place of remembrance]. If one remembered after completing the blessing of Bareich Aleinu, but prior to beginning even the first word of Teka Beshofar, he is to say it there. If one already began saying Teka Beshofar, he is to say it in the blessing of Shomeia Tefila [prior to “Ki Ata Shomeia”]. If one remembered after concluding the blessing of Shema Koleinu but prior to Ritzei, he is to say it then. If one remembered after beginning Ritzei, he is to go back to Bareich Aleinu. If one completed Shemoneh Esrei, he must return to the beginning.

Does one who traveled from Eretz Yisrael to the Diaspora between 7th Cheshvon and 5th December continue to say Vesein Tal Umatar in the Diapsora?[5]

Yes. Nevertheless if he is the Chazan, then in his repetition of Shemoneh Esrei, he is to recite Vesein Bracha as is said in the Diaspora.

Does one who traveled from the Diaspora to Eretz Yisrael between 7th Cheshvon and 5th December begin to say Vesein Tal Umatar in the Diapsora?[6]

He is to recite Veisen Tal Umatar just like Bnei Eretz Yisrael. However, if he plans to return to the Diapsora before the 5th of December, some Poskim side that he is to recite it within Shemoeia Tefilah.