The Halachot of Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha for Travelers

Dear Rabbi, I am currently visiting Israel. Do I need to include Veten Tal U'Matar in my prayers like the Israeli custom, or do I continue to daven like in Chutz La'aretz?

Thank you for your question.

The halachot of Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha is very complex, Firstly, the timing of when to begin including it in our tefillah depends on whether you live in Eretz Yisrael or in Chutz La'aretz. Secondly, there are specific guidelines regarding what to do if one forgets to mention it, does one need to repeat the Shemoneh Esrei or not?

So let's start with Halachot concerning the date when one starts to include it in the teffilah.

Eretz Yisrael / Chutz La'aretz:

In Eretz Yisrael , one begins to recite it on the 7th of Cheshvan, during Ma’ariv . In Chutz La’aretz , one begins this year on December 4th, 2024, which is Wednesday night, during the evening Ma’ariv .

Someone Abroad: An Israeli in Chutz La'aretz:

• If one left Israel before the 7th of Mar Cheshvan , recite Veten Bracha as in Chutz La'aretz , and in the blessing of Sh'ma Koleinu , add Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha Al Pnei Ha’adamah .
• However, if one arrived in Chutz La'aretz after the 7th of Cheshvan , recite as you would in Eretz Yisrael .

I want to add that this halacha applies any Ben Eretz Yisrael who has traveled to Chutz La'aretz and plans to return within the year.

A person from Chutz La'aretz currently in Israel:

• someone living in Chutz La'aretz who comes to Eretz Yisrael , (and plans to return within the year) the halacha is as follows:

If he arrives between the 7th of Mar Cheshvan and December 4th (or even if he arrived in Eretz Yisrael before the 7th of Cheshvan ), he should recite in the blessing of Barech Aleinu "Veten Bracha" and then add " Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha Al Pnei Ha’adamah" in Sh'ma Koleinu .

All the above halachos apply to someone praying the silent Tefillah . However, if one is the chazzan then during the silent repletion he should pray following his own custom. However, when praying the Chazzan’s repetition , he should follow the custom of the place he is in.

If One Forgot to Mention Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha in Its Proper Place:

According to Ashkenaz Minhag: If one remembered…

1. During Barech Aleinu – go back and say Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha and continue from there.
2. After saying "Baruch Ata Hashem" – then in the blessing of Sh'ma Koleinu , say: "Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha Al Pnei Ha’adamah… Ki Ata Shomea…" (If one thinks he may forget to add it during Sh'ma Koleinu , he may say Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha Al Pnei Ha’adamah before Teka Be'shofar .)
3. After "Baruch Ata Hashem” before saying “Shomea Tefiilah" – continue with Lamdeini Chukecha , then say Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha Al Pnei Ha’adamah Ki Ata Shomea…
4. After completing Shomea Tefillah but before R’tzei – add Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha Al Pnei Ha’adamah , then continue with R’tzei .
5. After starting R’tzei or any time until the second Yihyu L’ratzon before Oseh Shalom – go back to Barech Aleinu and continue from there.
6. After saying the second Yihyu L’ratzon (and after personal Tefillot ) – go back to the beginning of the Shemoneh Esrei .

According to Sephardi Minhag: If one remembered…

1. After saying "Barchenu Hashem Elokeinu Bechol Ma’aseh Yadeinu" – continue with Et Hashanah Hazot .
2. At the end of the Beracha but before saying "Hashem" – go back, say Veten Tal U'Matar , and continue normally.
3. After saying "Baruch Ata Hashem" – the Mishna Berura writes to continue and then add it in Shomea Tefillah , though many Sephardim have the custom to say Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha Al Pnei Ha’adamah before Teka Be'shofar so in this case it is advisable to say it again during Shomea Tefillah .(If one thinks he may forget to add it during Sh'ma Koleinu , he can say Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha Al Pnei Ha’adamah before Teka Be'shofar .)
4. After beginning Teka Be'shofar – one should recite it in Shomea Tefillah and say Veten Tal U'Matar Livracha Al Pnei Ha’adamah… Ki Ata Shomea Tefillah .
5. At any later stage, one should do like the Ashkenazi halacha mentioned above.

Wishing you a happy stay and a healthy and prosperous winter.

Shulchan Aruch Siman117

Azamroh Lishmecho issue # 265