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Chabad Of Pinellas To Observe Blessing Of The Sun

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: March 28, 2009

PALM HARBOR - One morning early next month it is believed the sun will return to the same position in the sky, on the same day of the week, it occupied 5,769 years ago -- on the day of creation.

This event happens once every 28 years, on the same day of the week Jews believe God created the sun, moon and heavenly bodies.

Scores of Pinellas County residents, from all walks of life, will gather at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, at the east end of the Dunedin Causeway, " to perform the rarest event on the Jewish calendar," The Blessing of the Sun, said Rabbi Levi Hodakov, program director of Chabad of Pinellas County.

Chabad of Pinellas is a congregation in Palm Harbor that is part of the Lubavitch Hasidic movement within Orthodox Judaism.

The blessing ritual, called Birkat Hachamah in Hebrew, is comprised of prayers and psalms thanking God for creating the sun, definitely not a prayer to the sun.

"Jewish tradition absolutely forbids worship or prayer to any entity other than the one God," Hodakov explained. Blessings also express gratitude to God for granting us life and allowing us to reach this moment, he added.

During the event, Chabad Rabbi Mendy Bukiet will explain the significance of the event.

Local participants will join millions of people around the world performing a ritual blessing recited only once every 28 years in synagogues, on beaches, in parks and homes, he said.

This year also marks the second time in six centuries that the Blessing of the Sun coincides with the eve of Passover.

"The novelty of the Blessing of the Sun is expected to draw men, women and children from all walks of life and all levels of religious practice," Hodakov said.

The last time the blessing occurred was in 1981. At the time, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the longtime Lubavitch leader, or rebbe, requested the chanting of a meditative Chasidic melody, known as the "Four Stanzas."

This year's observance will closely follow the ceremony conceived by Schneerson, Hodakov said. Although Schneerson died in 1994 no formal successor to him as Lubavitcher rebbe has emerged.

"Some Jewish observances are accessible each moment, others only once a year," Hodakov said. "This rare ritual is something my children will tell their children about, please God."

"The world has changed drastically since the last time this blessing was recited," said Rabbi Shalom Adler, spiritual leader of Chabad of Pinellas.

"But blessing God for his nature's wonders reminds us to reflect on the miracles and blessings of our daily lives, to focus on the fact that God continues to sustain our universe," Adler said.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncaostnews.com.

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