יִהְיַו ץֶרָאָה לַע םֶשֶׁגַּה - ולהלן הוא אומר )פסוק י"ז( ויהי המבול, אלא כשהורידן, הורידן ברחמים שאם יחזרו יהיו גשמי ברכה, וכשלא חזרו היו למבול:
Rashi פ"ז פסוק י"ב
And the rain was upon the earth - But later (7:17) it says. “And the Flood was upon the earth”! The explanation is as follows: when Hashem poured down the water at first, He made it fall in mercy, in order that if the people would repent, it shall be a rain of blessing; but when they did not repent it became a destructive flood (Bereishis Rabbah 31:12). Rashi (7:12)
When the Mabul started, first it was “Gishmei Brochoh – rains of blessing”, to give a chance for the Dor Hamabul to do Teshuvoh (repent) and not be destroyed. In this mode it would be appropriate to relate a story that happened by the Yenukoh - the Frankfurter, Reb Yisroel of Stolin ZY”A. Once on Shmini Atzeres when he was called upon to Daven Tefillas Geshem, The Yenukoh halted, and proclaimed, “What I want you don’t want, and what you want, I don’t want”. (As in Tefillas Geshem we ask Hashem for our needs to serve Him). The tzibbur then cried out and beseeched, “Rebbe, we want as you want”. Upon hearing that, the Rebbe approached the Ohmud and was Mispallel Tefillas Geshem.
From this we can also learn the following lesson. The Skulener Rebbe – Rav Yisroel Avrohom ZY”A, once visited a certain town. He was greatly sought after, as people came to his door for Brochos (Blessings) on behalf of all sorts of Yeshuos (Salvations), and advice. On Shabbos there was not as big of a crowd as during the week. A friend of mine realized this and expounded that one must not only seek the Brochoh of a Tzaddik but must also observe the Avodoh (Service to Hashem) of the Tzaddik, to emulate it, utilize it, and internalize it.
