R' Elyah Lopian explains, the reason Hashem brings thunder together with rain, is because Hashem wants to bring down lots of berachah to the world, however, the world isn’t ready, therefore, he creates thunder to straighten out our crooked hearts, and then He is able to shower us with berachah. Similarly, any tragedy which Hashem brings upon is, is preparation for a shower of berachah. The louder the thunder, the more berachah Hashem wants to shower upon us. Like it says in the pasuk: המכסה שמים בעבים המכין לארץ מטר- “Who covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth” (Tehillim 147:8). Clouds represent strict justice, as darkness is a sign of justice, however, clouds are preparation for the rain that is soon to come. The darker and thicker the clouds, the stronger the rain that will fall afterwards is. Like it says in Ta’anis (9b), when a tragedy befalls Klal Yisroel, it’s preparation for berachah and abundance that Hashem plans to bring. After such a loud crash of thunder, let’s hope that Hashem has lots of berchah in store for us.
If we truthfully connect ourselves to the Ribbono Shel Olam, and truthfully understand that everything that happens is miracles and being orchestrated by Hashem, then we will have reached the purpose of what the world was created for - that we should fear Hashem. If like the Rambam says, when we cry and sound trumpets, we awaken ourselves and we realize that it’s because we aren’t putting out trust in Hashem and fearing Him enough, and we improve in our yiras Shomayim, then we will be doing what the world was created for, yiras Shomayim, and we will no longer need thunder (tragedies) to straighten our hearts.
