It seems that the argument that chazal gives against the opinion of Eliezer that we only praise H'm for being able to make rain and that we are not asking for rain is that, we are really asking for it. They even compare this blessing with the resurrection of the dead blessing saying that it is always time for it so it is OK to us to ask for it Even they later argue that we don't praise H'm for the winds and the clouds because we don't relly need them. What I don't understand is why we say the blessing "King Who causes death..". We are not asking for it, are we?
Matias Libedinsky, USA
(a) This is an excellent question. The commentary Dover Shalom (printed in the Otzar ha'Tefilos) explains that the death of the body is the beginning of the life of the soul and consequently eternal life: just as a seed must rot and disintegrate before the plant grows. Therefore, "he kills" means that he begins the process of granting everlasting life, which is finished with Techiyas ha'Mesim.
(b) The Ritva in Taanis 2a, though, explains that "Memis u'Mechayeh" is referring to the past, to the dead who were resurrected by the prophets, such as Elisha and Eliyahu. The following statement, "v'Ne'eman Ata Lehachayos," is referring to the Resurrection of the future.
If so, the meaning of this Berachah according to the Ritva is: " Just as you caused death and then resurrected the dead in the past, so too, you are trusted to resurrect in the future.
-Mordecai