{"id":93425,"date":"2026-07-31T06:55:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T11:55:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/?p=93425"},"modified":"2026-08-07T16:29:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:29:34","slug":"honi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/honi\/","title":{"rendered":"Honi"},"content":{"rendered":"

By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER<\/p>\n

Honi Ha-Me\u2019agel was a celebrated miracle worker of the First Century. \u201cHa-Me\u2019agel\u201d is widely understood to mean \u201cThe Circle Maker\u201d \u2013 in reference to an incident (Ta\u2019anit 23a) when, in a time of drought, Honi drew a circle around himself in the dry earth and refused to leave the spot until his prayers for rain were answered. When it then rained lightly, Honi offered a prayer demanding more substantial rain. When torrential rains fell, he prayerfully insisted upon moderate precipitation. Each prayer was answered in turn.<\/p>\n

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Others suggest that \u201cHa-Me\u2019agel\u201d means \u201cthatcher\u201d (roofer) or \u201coven repairman.\u201d A thatcher would certainly have a vested interest in rainy conditions: his services would be in urgent demand!<\/p>\n

Though no halachic rulings are recorded in his name, it is said that Honi would resolve intractable debates among the Sages.<\/p>\n

Josephus records that Honi was murdered when he refused to pray for partisan outcomes during a time of violent Jewish national infighting (Antiquities 14:22).<\/p>\n

Honi Ha-Me\u2019agel was a miracle worker, master of prayer, superior scholar, and champion of Jewish national unity.<\/p>\n

When it rains, it pours.<\/p>\n

Rabbi Joseph H. Prouser is the editor of \u201cMasorti: The New Journal of Conservative Judaism.\u201d The latest edition of Masorti published in the summer of 2026 and honors the American Sestercentennial. A subscription is $18 per annum. Print copies are available from Ben Yehuda Press and Amazon.<\/em><\/p>\n

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