rainbow

Contributed by Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis

God gave the rainbow to the world as a sign of his promise that he would graciously never again destroy the world,¹ a witness of the divine faithfulness. When Moses ascended Mount Sinai, the rainbow took off its garment and gave it to him to protect him as he interacted with God.²Elijah will test the righteousness of individuals by asking if they have ever seen a rainbow; because the truly pious sustain the world on his, or her, own merit such a person never actually sees one. A particularly splendid rainbow will herald of the Messiah.

It is referred to three other times in Scripture.³

❧