Ḥoni’s Prayers for Rain and Cessation of Rain

Once, most of [the month of] Adar had passed but rain had [still] not fallen. They sent [this message] to Ḥoni the Circle Drawer: Pray, and rain will fall. He prayed, but no rain fell. He drew a circle [in the dust] and stood inside it, in the manner that the prophet Habakkuk did, as it is stated: And I will stand upon my watch and set myself upon the tower, [and I will look out to see what He will say to me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved (Habakkuk 2:1). Ḥoni] said before [God], “Master of the Universe, your children have turned their faces toward me, as I am like a member of your household. [Therefore,] I take an oath by your great name that I will not move from here until you have mercy upon your children [and answer their prayers for rain].” Rain began to trickle [down, but only in small droplets]. His students said to him, “Rabbi, we have seen [that] you [can perform great wonders], but [this quantity of rain is not enough to ensure that] we will not die. It appears to us that [a small amount of] rain is falling only [to enable you] to dissolve your oath, [but it is not nearly enough to save us.” Ḥoni] said [to God], “I did not ask for this, but [for] rain to [fill the] cisterns, ditches, and caves.” [Rain] began to fall furiously, until each and every drop [was as big] as the mouth of a barrel, and the sages estimated that no drop was less than a log [in size]. His students said to him, “Rabbi, we have seen [that] you [can call on God to perform miracles] and we will not die, [but now] it appears to us that rain is falling only to destroy the world.” [Ḥoni again] said before [God], “I did not ask for this [harmful rain either,] but [for] rain of benevolence, blessing, and generosity.” [Subsequently, the rains] fell in their standard manner, until all of the people [sought higher ground and] ascended to the Temple Mount due to the rain. They said to him, “Rabbi, just as you prayed that [the rains] should fall, so too, pray that they should stop.” He said to them, “This is [the tradition that] I received, that one does not pray over an excess of good. Nevertheless, bring me a bull. [I will sacrifice it as] a thanks-offering [and pray at the same time].” They brought him a bull [for] a thanks-offering. He placed his two hands on its head and said before [God], “Master of the universe, your nation Israel, whom you brought out of Egypt, cannot [bear] either an excess of good or an excess of punishment. You grew angry with them [and withheld rain], and they are unable to bear it. You bestowed upon them [too much] good, and they were [also] unable to bear [it]. May it be your will that the rain stop and that there be relief for the world.” Immediately, the wind blew, the clouds dispersed, the sun shone, and everyone went out to the fields and gathered for themselves truffles and mushrooms [that had sprouted in the strong rain]. Simeon ben Shetaḥ relayed to [Ḥoni the Circle Drawer], “If you were not Ḥoni, I would have decreed ostracism upon you. For were [these] years like the years of Elijah, when the keys of rain [were entrusted] in Elijah’s hands, [and he swore it would not rain,] wouldn’t the name of Heaven have been desecrated by your [oath not to leave the circle until it rained? Once you have pronounced this oath, either yours or Elijah’s must be falsified.] However, what can I do to you, as you nag God and He does your bidding, like a son who nags his father and [his father] does his bidding. And [the son] says to [his father]: Father, take me to be bathed in hot water; wash me with cold water; give me nuts, almonds, peaches, and pomegranates. And [his father] gives him. About you, the verse states: Your father and mother will be glad and she who bore you will rejoice (Proverbs 23:25).”