Clouds That Draw From the Sea and the Good Treasury of Heaven

"And a mist went up from the earth": the clouds draw water from the sea, as it is said, "who raises vapors from the ends of the earth" (Psalms 135:7). And in every place where the King commands them, there they bring rain. At once the earth conceives and brings forth, like a widow who conceives from harlotry. But when the Holy One, blessed be He, wishes to bless the growth of the earth and to give creatures their provision, He opens His good treasury in the heavens and causes rain to fall upon the earth - which are male waters - and at once the earth conceives and brings forth a growth of blessing, as it is said, "the LORD shall open unto thee His good treasure" (Deuteronomy 28:12). Rabbi Yehuda says: once in every single month, channels rise from the deep to water the whole face of the ground, as it is said, "and a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground."