Tonight: Begin Saying ‘Tal Umotor’

In Maariv tonight, the 17th of Kislev, we begin saying Vesein Tal Umotor Livrocho in Shmoneh Esrei. A guide including some of the Halochos regarding this change, and if one had forgotten to make it, was compiled by Rabbi Shmuel Lesches, Magid Shiur in the Yeshiva Gedola of Melbourne, Australia:

V’sein Tal Umotor

One begins reciting V’sein Tal Umotor on Monday night, 17th Kislev, (December 4th).

If one forgot V’sein Tal Umotor Livrocho:

  • If one realized before saying Hashem’s name at the end of the Brocho, he goes back to V’sein Tal Umotor Livrocho and continues from
  • If one already concluded the Brocho, he says V’sein Tal Umotor Livrocho before starting the Brocho of Teka B’Shofar.
  • If one already began the Brocho of Teka B’Shofar, he says V’sein Tal Umotor Livrocho in the Brocho of Shma Koleinu, immediately before the words Ki Atoh Shomea Tefillah.
  • If one forgot to say it then, but realized before saying Hashem’s name at the end of the Brocho of Shma Koleinu, he should say V’sein Tal Umotor Livrocho and continue with Ki Atoh Shomea Tefillah.
  • If one already concluded the Brocho of Shma Koleinu, he says V’sein Tal Umotor Livrocho before starting the Brocho of Retzei.

If one already began Retzei, there is a difference between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

In the Southern Hemisphere:

  • If one already began Retzei, he does not go back, and instead relies on the opinions who maintain that one does not daven for rain during the local summer months.

In the Northern Hemisphere:

  • If one already began Retzei, he must go back to the beginning of the Brocho of Borech Aleinu, and continue from there until the end of Shmoneh Esrei. If he already began reciting (the second) Yih’yu L’ratzon, he must repeat the entire Shmoneh Esrei.
  • If one did not realize his omission until the time for that Tefillah has passed, he must daven the next Tefillah [E.g. If one forgot to say V’sein Tal Umotor Livrocho during Shacharis, he must recite the Shmoneh Esrei of Mincha twice.] Between the two Tefillos, he should wait the span of time to walk four Amos (approximately two metres), and preferably, he should recite words of supplication between them.
  • If one forgot V’sein Tal Umotor Livrocho in Mincha of Erev Shabbos, he does not repeat Shmoneh Esrei of Friday night.
  • If one is in doubt whether he said V’sein Tal Umotor Livrocho, for the first thirty days he should assume that he did not, and after thirty days he should assume that he did.