Why Did God Create Weather?

Real questions, submitted by actual OU Torah followers, with their real answers. NOTE: For questions of practical halacha, please consult your own rabbi for guidance.

Q. Why did Hashem create a world with weather? Why not create a world where every day is sunny and 70?

A. Thanks for your very interesting question. The Midrash tells a story in which David asks God what purpose is served by mental illness and God replies, “You’ll find out.” Later, David escapes from King Achish of Gath by feigning madness, making him truly grateful that such a condition exists.

Similarly, you may not see the benefit in weather but that doesn't mean that there isn't one, probably several. For example, God uses it to reward and punish us. When we are rebellious, for example, He withholds the rain from our crops. Or, as you may be aware, rain on Succos might be an ill omen. And it brings us closer to God when we turn to Him with our needs, so praying for rain and dew serves to strengthen our relationship with Him.

As far as every day sunny and 70, that sounds nice but wouldn't it get monotonous after a while? Some people like winter, others like summer. (I'm an autumn man, myself.) I think the variety of weather in the world is a gift in and of itself. 

Rabbi Jack's latest book, Ask Rabbi Jack, is now available from Kodesh Press and on Amazon.com.