R' Yitzhak Yosef, left, and R' David Baruch L
R' Yitzhak Yosef, left, and R' David Baruch LFlash90

Both Chief Rabbis - R' Yitzhak Yosef and R' David Lau - have released a letter urging the public to say extra prayers for rainfall.

The weather has remained sunny and warm in Israel over the past several months, delighting residents - but potentially damaging Israel's economy and agriculture.

The winter rain, when plentiful, sustains the Israeli economy through the next year; the Rabbis have called for the Jewish people to capitalize on the fact that this is the traditional season to pray for rainfall and to add to their prayers accordingly. 

In the letter, Rishon LeTzion Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef called on the Sephardic population to add the "kel yiftach" prayer before opening the Ark for the Torah on Shabbat, and also on Monday and Thursday if possible. 

Rabbi David Lau called on the Ashkenazic community to add the Anenu prayer to the daily services and add Psalm 130 to the end of each service.

All of these prayers are usually added to the service in times of great need - rain included. Past winters have seen similar edicts issued as well. In 2010, then-Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar (tz"l) called on the public to not only add to prayers but to fast, as well, after a major drought hit Israel that winter.