The Rainbow Blessing (Birkat HaKeshet) is a traditional Jewish blessing recited upon seeing a rainbow in the sky. The blessing reminds us of Hashem's covenant with Noah after the Great Flood and His eternal promise to preserve the world.
Below is the complete Jewish blessing for seeing a rainbow, with the original Hebrew text, easy-to-read English transliteration, and English translation, presented line by line.
Birkat HaKeshet | Blessing Upon Seeing a Rainbow
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה,
Baruch atah Adonai,
Blessed are You, Lord,
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם,
Eloheinu melech ha'olam,
Our God, King of the universe,
זוֹכֵר הַבְּרִית,
Zocher ha'brit,
Who remembers the covenant,
נֶאֱמָן בִּבְרִיתוֹ,
Ne'eman bi'vrito,
Is faithful to His covenant,
וְקַיָּם בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ.
Ve'kayam bi'mamaro.
And fulfills His word.
When Do You Say the Rainbow Blessing?
According to Jewish law (Halacha), one who sees a rainbow in the sky should recite Birkat HaKeshet.
However, Jewish tradition also teaches that a rainbow should not be stared at for an extended period. One should look briefly to recognize the rainbow and recite the blessing without gazing at it continuously.
The Meaning of the Rainbow in Judaism
In Jewish tradition, the rainbow carries a powerful message of faith, mercy, and hope.
After the Great Flood in the days of Noah, Hashem established a covenant promising that the world would never again be destroyed by a flood of that kind. The rainbow became the visible sign of this everlasting covenant.
Although the rainbow reminds us of the Flood and the judgment of that generation, the blessing itself focuses not on destruction, but on Hashem's faithfulness, compassion, and commitment to His promise.
Its beautiful colors remind us that even after a storm, there is room for renewal, mercy, and hope.
The next time you see a rainbow, take a brief moment to remember the deeper meaning behind this remarkable sight and the covenant it represents.
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