| Birkat Hachama |
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Birkat Hachama ("Blessing for the Sun") refers to a Jewish blessing that is recited in appreciation of the Sun once every twenty-eight years, when the vernal equinox as calculated by tradition falls on a Tuesday at sundown. With around 40 people turning up early on a Wednesday morning - Wellington NZ was one of the first places in the world to experience this rare Mitzvah!    According to Judaism, the Sun has a 28 year solar cycle known as machzor gadol (????? ????, "the large cycle"). A solar year is estimated as 365.25 days and the "Blessing of the Sun", being said at the beginning of this cycle, is therefore recited every 10,227 (28 times 365.25) days. The same blessing is recited upon experiencing various natural phenomena, including lightning, comets, and meteor showers; as well as upon witnessing wondrous natural topography, such as great mountains, rivers and vast wilderness. When recited for these other experiences, the blessing is recited alone without additional verses or Psalms etc. The text of the blessing itself is as follows: "???? ??? ?' ?????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ??????" "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the Universe who makes the works of Creation." |
