Pesach started out with a huge burst! Thousands of Jews all over the world gathered at sunrise Ever Pesach in anticipation of the first burst of the sun's rays over the horizon. It was time to say Birkat HaChamah, the Blessing for the Sun, which only occurs every 28 years when the sun is positioned in the same place as it was when created. I know some are questioning how anyone can prove exactly when the sun was created, and how can anyone know for certain it is standing in the identical position? I'll be the first to admit, "I'm not that smart!" So just humor those of us who choose to exercise a little faith! In all reality, does it really matter when the sun was created? The fact remains that Hashem is the Creator of the world and all that is therein! So, let's take advantage of the opportunity to praise Him and appreciate the thousands of fervent religious Jews who awoke before sunrise the morning of April 8, 2009, in order to give Hashem the glory He is due!
The average person will only experience this twice in his lifetime. I was in Israel in 1981, the last time it was said but I don't remember it having such an impact publicly as it did this year. Maybe the reason is because this year it happened the sunrise of Erev Pesach 2009. Rabbinically it is referred to as the "Blessing FOR the Sun", but it actually is a blessing to Hashem, Creator of the Sun.
(The photo is of a watercolor painting by Abigail of the sunrise over the Kinneret [Sea of Galilee]).
No comments:
Post a Comment