It was a warm November and there is still no snow as of this writing in December. It's now January. I am on vacation and I anticipate spending a lot of time enjoying the snow! The skier's mantra for this time of year is "think snow" or "pray for snow."
So, if it's worthy of my thought or prayer, what does the Tanach say about snow? There are 22 references to snow in the Tanach. Eight of the references are based on the color of snow suggesting the simile, "white as snow." Snow therefore, represents purity, just as does the whiteness of Yom Kippur clothing. For me, snow is visually appealing, softening the bleakness of the leafless, lifeless trees. Fresh snow especially takes the world and transforms the view to an Ansel Adams photograph.
For those who love snow and feel the "warmth of snow": Psalms 147: 16. "God gives snow like wool." But for those who know that it is really cold: Jeremiah 18:14. "Does the snow of Lebanon leave the crags of the field? Shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place cease to run?"
For those who recognize the importance of the season, several references are made to summer snow both in similes. One is: Proverbs 26:1. "As snow in the summer, and as rain in the harvest, so is honor not fitting for a fool."
And for those who hate snow, there is the affirmation of the transitory nature of snow: Isaiah 55: 10. "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater." And Job 24:19. "Drought and heat consume the snow waters."
My fellow skiers might ask, "is there anything in the Tanach that alludes to skiing?" Skiing was certainly not invented when the Bible was written, but for those who want a Biblical reference, this is the closest I could find: Proverbs 25:13. "As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for it (the snow) refreshes the soul of his master." The Hebrew grammar will support that translation although, I admit it is a big stretch.
And finally, for those who are looking forward to the end-of the snow, Job 38:22. "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow? Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail?"
So if you are like me and love the winter, enjoy it and if you are like that majority who look forward to spring, that will be here soon enough: Song of Songs 2:10. "My beloved speaks and says to me, Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. 11. For, behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; 12. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing bird has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land."
Joshua L. Segal
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