In rare rite, Jews celebrate Blessing of Sun & Passover

SWAMPSCOTT – Once every 28 years, a special event occurs that is celebrated by Jewish people all over the world.Wednesday morning at 8 a.m., Jews from the North Shore gathered at Kings Beach in Swampscott to mark the Birkat Hachamah.David Nathan, who is the director of North of Boston Jew Crew and Friendship Circle, said April 8, 2009 was very significant because Birkat Hachamah was celebrated and sunset marked the start of Passover because the Jewish day begins at sunset not sunrise.This year, Birkat Hachamah, which means Blessing of the Sun, happens to fall on Erev Pesach, the day before Passover in the Jewish calendar. This timing is very rare.According to an Orthodox Union article, the last time Birkat Hachamah occurred on the Erev Pesach was in 1925. Prior to 1925, the last time the Blessing of the Sun and Erev Pesach fell on the same day was in 1309, 693 and 609.According to some rabbinical scholars, the Birkat (BEER’-kaht) Hachamah (cha-cha-MAH’), or Blessing of the Sun, marks the moment when the sun returns to the spot in the sky it occupied during creation.”Scientists have calculated exactly that every 28 years at the exact same time of the week on the exact same day that the sun is in the exact same location as it was at its creation 5769 years ago,” Nathan said.”So, every 28 years, Jews all over the world, of all affiliations, gather to bless the sun which gives us life and sustains the world.”Nathan said approximately 50 people gathered to celebrate Birkat Hachamah at Kings Beach by reading Psalms and reciting the Blessing of the Sun.”It was cold but the idea of the sun was heartening,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the sun we wouldn’t be here.The sun was created on a Wednesday on the fourth day of creation,” he said.”This morning the sun was in exactly the same place on the exact same day as it was when it was created.”