The Musaf prayer on Shemini Atzeret is known for the introduction of the phrase "Meishiv HaRuach U'Morid HaGeshem" ("He reinvigorates the spirit and causes the rain to fall") in synagogues, following the summer months when "Morid HaTal" ("He brings the dew") is recited.
Contrary to a common mistake, the correct phrase is "Mashiv HaRuach" and not "Meishiv HaRuach," the former meaning "causes the wind to blow" (from the root N-SH-B: the letter 'N' falls out, and a dagesh appears in the 'SH').
This phrase, praising the Creator as mentioned in the sources, became particularly relevant during the critical sailing competitions of Tom Reuveny and Sharon Kantor at the Olympic Games. A lack of wind had delayed the races by a day, creating an interesting situation: if strong winds did not blow the following day, the semi-finals and finals would not take place, and the current rankings would become final.
In such a case, both Reuveny and Kantor, being in second place, would have won silver medals. Some wondered, half-jokingly and half-seriously, whether to recite "Mashiv HaRuach U'Morid HaGeshem" once in the summer, hoping the final races would occur, keeping the chance for a gold medal alive, or whether it would be better for Israel if the winds did not blow, ensuring both sailors secured second place without the risk of losing the medal.
Many assumed Reuveny would embrace a silver medal and secretly hoped for the final races to be canceled. This assumption was fundamentally wrong. From the words of Reuveny and his coach, Gal Fridman, the Olympic champion from Athens 2004, it became clear that they had long prepared and trained for a medal race scenario. They believed Reuveny could become an Olympic champion and aimed for that, even if few others believed it was possible. Fate and nature played their part, the winds in Marseille blew, Reuveny finished first and the national anthem Hatikvah played.
The mention of Shemini Atzeret was not coincidental. On this holiday, which in Israel is celebrated on the same day as Simchat Torah, the war began, and we still do not see its end. Naturally, on that disastrous day, many Musaf prayers were canceled as people left synagogues to fight and defend their homes. On the holiday when prayers for rain begin, and God is praised as "Mashiv HaRuach," Hamas launched a brutal terror attack.
These days, when soldiers are risking their lives in a war against those who seek to erase Israel from the map, the state is threatened on various fronts, and hostages are still held in Gaza, how we long for a pleasant wind of normalcy, tranquility and optimism. Tom Reuveny won a gold medal thanks to the winds finally blowing, which carries a symbolic significance. The medals won by Israeli athletes at the Olympic Games in France reflect the spirit and inspiration they provide to Israelis and Jews connected to Israel worldwide.
The experience of the Israeli delegation at the Paris Olympics contains many elements far from normal. These athletes came to the world's largest sporting event from a country in the midst of a tough war and faced vile threats to their lives. Despite the hostility and hypocritical calls for boycotts, they remained focused on their goal. For Oren Smadga, coach of Peter Paltchik and other male judokas representing Israel, it was even more challenging as he arrived at these Olympics during the most difficult period of his life – after his son, Omer, fell in the war. His resilience is unimaginable.
Those who see Israel's medals as merely a physical triumph in an entertainment-focused sporting event miss the bigger picture. This event is nothing less than a mental and spiritual victory. The inspiring spirit of the Israeli delegation to Paris 2024 – especially of medalists Tom Reuveny, Sharon Kantor, Artem Dolgopyat, Raz Hershko, Inbar Lanir and Peter Paltchik, and hopefully more to come – offers a crucial lesson.
Alongside this, there seems to be another lesson to learn from both the winners and the losers: the delegation members teach us how to continue to be proud Israelis, even in challenging conditions. Not to bow before boycott agents and hate mongers, but also not to be dragged into provocations. This lesson is also a message to the entire world – Israel has no intention of apologizing for its existence. The Israeli athletes proved they are made of special stuff, and no terror threats will make them hide the flag.