Blessing of the Sun happens once every 28 years; leader says it reaffirms order of universe
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The congregation of B'nai Jacob Synagogue in Charleston, along with Jews throughout the world, participated in the Blessing of the Sun this week.
It's a ritual so rare that it happens only once every 28 years.
Tom Hindman
A "Blessing of the Sun" service began indoors at B'nai Jacob Synagogue in Charleston and then continued to the outdoors with about 50 gathered for the event. It's a ritual so rare that it happens only once every 28 years.
"It recalls the moment when the sun first began to shine in the primeval heavens," said Rabbi Victor Urecki. "This ceremony is a reaffirmation of the order and power of the universe."
According to Judaism, the sun has a 28-year solar cycle known as the great circle, he said.
"A special blessing is recited upon experiencing this natural and wondrous event," he said.
The rare and brief religious event at B'nai Jacob was at 6 p.m. Tuesday and followed the evening minyan. Congregations in many other areas held similar rituals on Wednesday at sunrise. However, Tuesday night was chosen out of convenience with the service held just before preparation for Passover.
"We wanted children to attend and realized few adults would be with us at 6 a.m. Wednesday," Urecki said.
The service included readings from the Biblical books of Psalms and Genesis as well as the Talmud.
In a March edition of "The Jewish Week," an article says the Blessing of the Sun "marks the moment when, according to Jewish tradition formulated in Talmudic calculations, the sun returns to the exact point in the sky where it was on the day of creation 5,769 years ago. This, the Talmud states, happens every 28 years, always on a Wednesday morning."
Another article in the same publication points out that the event does not add up astronomically with a year being 365.24219 days long, making the celebration continue to drift later into a season. The writer also notes the sun was created 4.6 billion years ago when the universe was 9.1 billion years old.
In any event, the Blessing of the Sun is now enhanced by an increased interest in environmental issues, offers a teaching opportunity, and gives thanks to the creator of the universe.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The congregation of B'nai Jacob Synagogue in Charleston, along with Jews throughout the world, participated in the Blessing of the Sun this week.
It's a ritual so rare that it happens only once every 28 years.
"It recalls the moment when the sun first began to shine in the primeval heavens," said Rabbi Victor Urecki. "This ceremony is a reaffirmation of the order and power of the universe."
According to Judaism, the sun has a 28-year solar cycle known as the great circle, he said.
"A special blessing is recited upon experiencing this natural and wondrous event," he said.
The rare and brief religious event at B'nai Jacob was at 6 p.m. Tuesday and followed the evening minyan. Congregations in many other areas held similar rituals on Wednesday at sunrise. However, Tuesday night was chosen out of convenience with the service held just before preparation for Passover.
"We wanted children to attend and realized few adults would be with us at 6 a.m. Wednesday," Urecki said.
The service included readings from the Biblical books of Psalms and Genesis as well as the Talmud.
In a March edition of "The Jewish Week," an article says the Blessing of the Sun "marks the moment when, according to Jewish tradition formulated in Talmudic calculations, the sun returns to the exact point in the sky where it was on the day of creation 5,769 years ago. This, the Talmud states, happens every 28 years, always on a Wednesday morning."
Another article in the same publication points out that the event does not add up astronomically with a year being 365.24219 days long, making the celebration continue to drift later into a season. The writer also notes the sun was created 4.6 billion years ago when the universe was 9.1 billion years old.
In any event, the Blessing of the Sun is now enhanced by an increased interest in environmental issues, offers a teaching opportunity, and gives thanks to the creator of the universe.
A crowd of about 50 gathered inside B'nai Jacob on Tuesday at 6 p.m. to begin the service as a thin powder of snow drifted from a gray sky.
"Welcome to something that happens only once every 28 years," Urecki said. "In 1981 I was at an outdoor basketball court at Yeshiva University. The next time we do this will be in 2037. I will be in South Carolina."
He continued to read Biblical passages in English and then in Hebrew. When it came time for the blessing, everyone went outside. The sun actually appeared for the blessing, shining brightly.
"Blessed are you, Hashem our God, king of the universe, who effects the work of creation," the rabbi said.
When the blessing was finished, the sun slipped behind a cloud.
Anne Fishkin, 70, and Jeannette Kanner, 81, both of Charleston, said they were delighted to see the sun appear for the blessing. They did not attend such an event 28 years ago and only recently became aware of it. Kanner said her children, who live in Pittsburgh, recently sent her an article about the ritual that had appeared in their local newspaper.
"It was a nice service," said William Miller, 71, of Charleston. "Anything the rabbi does is nice."
Trig Salsbery of Charleston noted, "It was on the eve of Passover. That happens even more rarely."
Kristy Glasser, 38, of Philadelphia was in town visiting family and attended the service.
"I thought it was very interesting and fun to participate," she said. "I was born and raised here. I look forward to coming here in 28 years to do it again."
Gary Borstein of Charleston said, "At 61, I am praying I can make the next one. I will keep my health up. I have another reason to stay healthy and make the next one."
Contact writer Charlotte Ferrell Smith at charlo...@dailymail.com or 304-348-1246.
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