OPINION (Israel365News) – Prayers of rain have been answered and after experiencing more than six years of drought, ancient sources of water are flowing in Israel. Most notably, the Shiloach Pool in Jerusalem is overflowing.

Six years of drought ended last winter with a blessed rainy season. Israel is an arid country with about 70 percent of the average rain falling between November and March and the last two years filled the Kinneret to within 12 centimeters of being full. Rain in Israel is a reflection of the relationship between the Jews and God.

Nowhere is this more evident than at the Shiloach Pool that once served the Temples in Jerusalem. On Sukkoth 18 months ago, a grand procession of Kohanim (priests), Levites, and Jews joyously descended from the Old City in Jerusalem to the Shiloach Pool in a reenactment of the Nisuch Hamayim (water libation ceremony) performed in the Temples. Upon arriving at the pool, they were dismayed to discover that there was barely enough water to fill the golden vessel.

This stands in stark contrast to the overflowing spring Israel365 reporter Joshua Wander encountered when he visited the pool on Tuesday. Wander is no stranger to the Shiloach Pool which is quite near his home on the Mount of Olives. But he was overcome with joy when he saw the spring was overflowing to an extent he hadn’t witnessed in many years. READ MORE