איוב, פרק ל״ו, פסוק ל״ב

The process of rainfall serves as both a natural marvel and a spiritual tool, where the darkening of the sky and the temporary withholding of water set the stage for a downpour. The primary approach among commentators is that the clouds themselves are compared to hands. This comparison arises because clouds often begin forming as small shapes resembling a human hand, or because they eventually spread out to form a protective dome over people's heads [מצודת ציון, רש״י, מלבי״ם]. Another perspective suggests that the clouds are, so to speak, held directly within God's own hands [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

As these clouds gather, God uses them to conceal the light. They rise to create a thick physical barrier that hides the sun and prevents its rays from reaching the earth [אבן עזרא, תקות אנוש]. Some explain this natural process by noting that the heat and light trapped within water vapor rise and become hidden above the cloud cover [מלבי״ם, רלב״ג]. Conversely, a midrashic approach views this darkening as a consequence of human actions; the light and rain are held back because of the sins of theft and violence committed by human hands [רש״י].

Once the sky is darkened, the actual release of rain is triggered by a specific command, which commentators understand through either a physical or a spiritual lens. The natural approach interprets this trigger as a physical collision. God commands the heavy, water-filled clouds to rush together and crash into one another, or He commands the wind to strike the clouds. This violent movement generates the storm, thunder, and eventual rainfall [רמב״ן, רלב״ג, מלבי״ם, תקות אנוש, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A related idea is that the clouds are commanded to rush past the sun, striking and obscuring it from view [אבן עזרא, תקות אנוש].

In contrast, the spiritual approach views this trigger as an act of prayer and pleading. God intentionally gathers the clouds and stops the rain to awaken the people and encourage them to repent. The water remains locked in the sky until a righteous and wise leader, who deeply loves his people, steps forward to pray on behalf of his generation. It is only in the merit of this sincere prayer that God commands the clouds to finally empty their waters upon the earth [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, אלשיך].