Commentary for Berakhot 117:16

THEREFORE WE WILL SAY THEM BOTH. Rav Popo says that since two feasible phrases were suggested for this b’rochoh to be said upon seeing a rainbow, we should recite both. R’I says that we do not say a conclusion for this b’rochoh. And how do we recite it? Blessed are you Hashem our G-d, King of the universe who is trustworthy in his covenant, and fulfills his promise and remembers his covenant.

RAVA SAID: THERE, ONE RECITES: BLESSED…WHOSE POWER FILLS THE WORLD, AND: AUTHOR OF CREATION. The explanation: he says this one, “His power and might fill the world” or that one, “Who makes the works of creation”, whichever he wants, not both, and so did Rav Alfas explain Rovo’s opinion.

To let the floods through.

See p. 11.

A proverbial expression. The two stars, having been instroments of destruction, cannot be used to bring reparation.

For the two tears.

M. omits: b. Jacob.

M.: Rab said.

I.e. not full of water.

It was not continuous.

M.: Rab said.

D. S. adopts the reading of the Paris MS : to the whole of the day.

M.: Raba.

I.e. do not carry the corn to market, because the morning rain will make the fields fertile and wheat will be cheap.

M.: Johanan.

Palestine.

I.e. created.

This is explained by Raba's statement which follows.

Mountains and hills are stationary and in fixed places, whereas thunder, etc. occur throughout the world.

I.e. perfectly unclouded.

M.: 'Ulla.

It is stated in Joma 21b, "When the wind blows towards the North [i.e. a South wind]...there is abundant rain; when the wind blows from the North...there is little rain." Prov, xxv. 23 reads in R.V. "The North wind