Nearly 100 Jews from four local Synagogues came together this morning to celebrate the once in every 28 years festival of Birkat ha’Chamah, Hebrew for “The Blessing of the Sun.”
According to Jewish Tradition, the festival marks the date on which the sun returns to the position that it was in when the Universe was created.
To mark the occasion, the four synagogues held a short service at 8am in the car park opposite the Grimsdyke Hotel in Old Redding.
The service included a compilation of prayers and psalms, collated by Rabbi Michael Hilton of Kol Chai Synagogue, Hatch End and Rabbi Kathleen de Magtige-Middleton of Middlesex New Synagogue, Harrow. Also involved in leading the service was Rabbi Paul Freedman of Radlett and Bushey Reform Synagogue and Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, Senior Rabbi of Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue.
Rabbi Goldstein said: “We are celebrating as Progressive Jews and do not believe that this celebration actually marks the time when the sun is in the same position as when it was created. However, it is an opportunity to consider the works of Creation and their fragility. We are reminded of our obligation to take responsibility for our environment and to reflect on our use and abuse of the natural world.”
The basis for the festival’s 28 year cycle involves quite complex computations which were made in approximately the 5th century of the Common Era. Although known to be inaccurate, the accepted Jewish custom is to say the Birkat ha’Chamah blessing, which praises God for the works of creation.
Birkat ha’Chamah falls on the morning before Pesach (Passover).