The ideology surrounding this blessing stems from the Talmud, Chagigah 16a, where the following was interpreted by Rabbi Yehuda: This comes from the belief that the colors of a rainbow exemplify the LordвЂ™s divine glory, and therefore it should not be stared at directly. Due to this, some Jews perceive rainbows as a glorious occurrence but rather an unfortunate one, which is why some claim that this particular blessing should be said in silence, and that one should not inform his friend when he sees one, as it is similar to spreading bad news.ДЄnother tradition associated with this blessing is to only glance at the rainbow very briefly. It considers it as a remembrance of GodвЂ™s anger towards humanity as well as death and destruction. Other Jewish thought on this matter, however, views the sign of the rainbow negatively. From this perspective, a rainbow is seen in a positive light, as it shows how God remembers and keeps His promises to His people. The rainbow serves as a sign of the LordвЂ™s eternal covenant with his people, symbolizing that He will never again destroy all life in a great flood. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.вЂ™вЂќ (Genesis 9:12-15) Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. вЂњAnd God said, вЂThis is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Rainbows are regarded highly as they serve as a reminder to the covenant that God made with Noah after destroying all living creatures with the flood. In Judaism, the phenomenon of seeing a rainbow is considered a special, amazing event, thus ensuing the need to recite a blessing upon seeing one.

Meaning of seeing a rainbow