Birchat HaChamma in West Orange, NJ

April 8, 2009 | ML/NJ

[ml/nj]

Today is the day for Birchat HaChamma, the once every 28 years blessing of the sun. I confess to not knowing about this 28 years ago, but I decided to join my synagogue group near Highlawn Pavilion in the Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange, NJ. This location was chosen because it affords a clear view of the eastern horizon, blocked only by the buildings of Manhattan about ten miles away.

Supposedly this date is chosen because the sun only returns to some astronomical point once every 28 years and this point is the one where the sun was at at the time of creation. This point still confuses me as I thought the sun was supposed to have been created near the end of the Hebrew month of Elul a few days before Rosh HaShannah which I understand to be the anniversary of the creation of man. Some explanations were given by others in my group, one involving Saturn (!) which has an orbital period of 29+ years. I need more teaching about this!

We were lucky with the weather. Two days ago the forecast was for clouds all day. But this morning it was cold and clear.

I confess to wondering how many other people would show up. I found out as soon as I arrived at about seven minutes after six. We didn't have 50,000 as I heard were at the Kotel this morning (How do they see the sunrise there!?) but the parking lot was full. Highlawn Pavillion is a pretty large catering hall/restaurant so I was impressed.

I parked on the access road.

There were quite a few groups from other synagogues. Each seemed to have between 50 and a 100 people. These were two such groups.

Our group was to assemble at 6:15 for the 6:28 sunrise.

We all waited for the sun to appear each group singing and reciting whatever each thought appropriate prior to the time to recite the nine word blessing (nine words in Hebrew anyway). The waiting reminded me a bit of the wait on top of Masada. Here are two pictures from my own Congregation Agudath Israel at the time of the first appearance of the sun (delayed a couple of minutes by the low clouds).

On my way out I saw that people had parked all the way back to the entrance to the reservation.

I didn't know what to expect when I got up in darkness at 4:30 this morning, but it really was an exhilarating experience!

ML/NJ

[knarf]

Hebrew kwaanzaa ?

[ml/nj]

Really, no.

ML/NJ

[WayneS]

Birchat HaChamma?

THE Birchat HaChamma!!??

He owes me MONEY!

[topcat54]

Our group was to assemble at 6:15 for the 6:28 sunrise.

Did they explain why they do this at sunrise on Wednesday rather than sunset on Tuesday?

[TorahTrueJew]

Jewish holidays start at Sundown.

But this particular blessing is said at sunrise because it is said today, and must be said while seeing the sun.

Though I believe there is a discussion in the Talmud as to whether or not it should be said at night...

[Zionist Conspirator]

Thank you for sharing, ml/nj. I also saw the sun rise from inside my bedroom. Unfortunately it was really cold and I was exhausted (not been sleeping too well lately), so immediately after I dove right back into bed.