“I have placed My bow within a cloud and it shall be a sign of a covenant between Myself and all the land” Gen 9:13
The Prophet Ezekiel describes his vision of “Merkavah” or G-d’s Chariot; “Like a bow within a cloud (aka rainbow) on a rainy day so was the appearance of “Nogah” (shining brilliance) all around. This is the appearance of the “Dmus” (or likeness) of G-d’s glory. And I saw and fell upon my face.” (Ezekiel 1:28).
The Talmud brings this verse as the basis for the following statement: R’ Alexanderi in the name of R Yehoshua son of Levi says, “He who sees a rainbow within a cloud must fall on his face. The Rabbis in the West disagreed saying that acting is such a manner appears as though one is worshiping the rainbow! (Ezekiel’s vision was much more than merely a rainbow.) The Talmud continues; “A blessing on the rainbow must certainly be said. What blessing should one say? “Blessed is He who remembers the covenant.” R Yishmael son of R Yochanan ben Brokah says, “The blessing should be; “Blessed is he who is trusted within His covenant and exist within His word”. R Papa says, “Therefore say both blessings.” (Ber. 49a)
The Talmud in Chagigah also quotes the verse in Ezekiel saying “he who disrespects the honor of his Creator is better off not having been born. Who is this person? R Abba says, “He who gazes at a rainbow.” R Yoseph says, “He who sins in secret thinking that G-d doesn’t know.”
In Ezekiel’s vision the rainbow was an external representation of the divine essence. To gaze at it is disrespectful as it represents brazenness in His presence. It is without shame. For who among us is without sin. The blessing on the rainbow is exactly the same blessing we make during the Musaf of Rosh Hashanah at the conclusion of the section “Zichronos” the G-d who remembers. There we recall how G-d is all knowing. He knows all our deeds both good and not so good. We pray then that He remembers His covenant with Noah how despite the fact that the world was evil Noah was worthy and was saved. We mention Noah for although he was imperfect he was worthy of a covenant. We too are the recipients of G-d’s covenant and hope, despite our imperfections, to be worthy in His eyes.
The falling on the face in the Torah has elements of shame and of respect. In the incident of the spies Moses and Aaron both fell on their faces ashamed that the people were rejecting the Promised Land. They were embarrassed on behalf of the people and for their own leadership shortcomings.
The blessing on the rainbow is a “Birkat Shevach”, a blessing of praise recited when in the presence of the divine Presence as the rainbow of Ezekiel’s vision. It is also a blessing of “Hodaah” or thankfulness not unlike “Zichronos” on Musaf Rosh Hashanah. We thank the Creator for His ongoing commitment to the covenant of the rainbow.
Dedicated to the memory of Fay Berg A’H Feigah Bas Avraham and to Joel Shulman A’H
