I finished my studies and materials this morning to teach Massechet Hachama this Wednesday morning as part of Siyyum Bechorim - the Fast of the First Born. A couple of my colleagues created some wonderful source materials related to this short ceremony and various teachings from the tradition about the sun. We'll study this for a few minutes around 7 am and then take 5-10 minutes to do the ceremony, before we eat hametz for the last time until after Passover.
The last time this benediction was recited was during my last year of Rabbinical School. After davening that morning - we went over to Riverside Park, recited the Psalms, prayers and the blessing for God's Wondrous Creative Power. It was a sublime moment then and again this year.
This blessing, according to the tradition, celebrates the return of the sun to the exact place it was when it was created on the Fourth Day of Creation. Whether this is factually true or not, it is spiritually significant that we pause and appreciate the miracle of the sun. It is the source of life in our solar system. It is the primary source of energy for our planet. It impacts our lives every day in ways which we are not even aware. It's a chance to acknowledge some of the gifts we take for granted. And it occurs formally, Jewishly only once every 28 years.
My colleague Mark Greenspan summarized five truths about this rite:
1) God is our creator even if we can't discern the process
2) The sun is a gift which gives us life each day - life is impossible without it
3) We have a responsibility to celebrate these gifts and ALSO to be their custodians
4) God's gifts belong to everyone and we must learn to share them
5) Because something is always there - doesn't make it less of a miracle
So whether you join us in shul this Wednesday morning after early minyan (6:30 am) or just go outside anytime after sunrise until around 9 am - your can just recite the blessing ( ... oseh maaseh brayshit - ... who makes the work of creation) or check on-line for any of the fuller ceremonies - think about our world, its dependence and interconnection with the sun, and experience the wonder and maybe even God's Presence in the star that gives us life.
The last time this benediction was recited was during my last year of Rabbinical School. After davening that morning - we went over to Riverside Park, recited the Psalms, prayers and the blessing for God's Wondrous Creative Power. It was a sublime moment then and again this year.
This blessing, according to the tradition, celebrates the return of the sun to the exact place it was when it was created on the Fourth Day of Creation. Whether this is factually true or not, it is spiritually significant that we pause and appreciate the miracle of the sun. It is the source of life in our solar system. It is the primary source of energy for our planet. It impacts our lives every day in ways which we are not even aware. It's a chance to acknowledge some of the gifts we take for granted. And it occurs formally, Jewishly only once every 28 years.
My colleague Mark Greenspan summarized five truths about this rite:
1) God is our creator even if we can't discern the process
2) The sun is a gift which gives us life each day - life is impossible without it
3) We have a responsibility to celebrate these gifts and ALSO to be their custodians
4) God's gifts belong to everyone and we must learn to share them
5) Because something is always there - doesn't make it less of a miracle
So whether you join us in shul this Wednesday morning after early minyan (6:30 am) or just go outside anytime after sunrise until around 9 am - your can just recite the blessing ( ... oseh maaseh brayshit - ... who makes the work of creation) or check on-line for any of the fuller ceremonies - think about our world, its dependence and interconnection with the sun, and experience the wonder and maybe even God's Presence in the star that gives us life.
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It was a wonderful morning -- but SO cold. I especially like point #5.
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