Jerry Green
03-20-2009, 10:48 AM
As sunrise broke over New York City on the morning of April 8, 1981, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi — at the time he was known just as Zalman Schachter — stood on the observation deck of the Empire State Building and sounded the shofar.
For more than two hours after, Shachter-Shalomi led some 300 mostly young adults in an obscure Jewish ritual known as Birkat Hachamah, or blessing over the sun, a prayer recited once every 28 years when, the Talmud says, the sun reaches the same spot in the firmament as when it was created.
From: Bless the Sun : Bless the Sun (https://www.blessthesun.org/tiki-index.php)
April 8, 2009
"And God made two great lights - the larger light to rule the day and the smaller light to rule the night... and God placed them in the heavens to light up the earth."
(Genesis 1:14-15)
"The sun of righteousness shall shine forth with healing on its wings."
(Malachi 3:20)
The blessing to be recited on April 8, 2009 at sunrise:
ברוך אתה יי אלוקינו מלך העולם עושה מעשה בראשית
Blessed are you, God, the Maker of the wonders of creation.
Preamble to the Covenant
The era of fossil fuels is ending. Alternative energy sources are on the rise. Solar and wind, both fueled by the sun, tidal energy powered by the moon, and countless other sources hardly even imaginable today, hold out great promise of clean, renewable energy tomorrow. Our support can hasten their development, discovery and adoption.
On the eve of this energy revolution, the Jewish community is preparing to celebrate the creation of the sun. Once every 28-years, we mark the return of the sun to the place, time and day of its creation. As we celebrate all of God's majestic creation, we note that the sun provides the light that powers life on earth. The resources of our planet are self-contained, and our world is constantly recycling, reusing, regenerating all that is here. All life depends the Sunlight, the only new physical element introduced afresh each day into the world.
Birkat Hahammah Covenant of Commitment
This Birkat Hahammah, we join forces to show our appreciation for the creation of the sun, and the renewable gift of light that dawns upon us each day. By signing this Covenant of Commitment, I/we pledge to hasten the day of environmental healing, social justice and sustainable living for all.
Blessings,
Yitzak
For more than two hours after, Shachter-Shalomi led some 300 mostly young adults in an obscure Jewish ritual known as Birkat Hachamah, or blessing over the sun, a prayer recited once every 28 years when, the Talmud says, the sun reaches the same spot in the firmament as when it was created.
From: Bless the Sun : Bless the Sun (https://www.blessthesun.org/tiki-index.php)
April 8, 2009
"And God made two great lights - the larger light to rule the day and the smaller light to rule the night... and God placed them in the heavens to light up the earth."
(Genesis 1:14-15)
"The sun of righteousness shall shine forth with healing on its wings."
(Malachi 3:20)
The blessing to be recited on April 8, 2009 at sunrise:
ברוך אתה יי אלוקינו מלך העולם עושה מעשה בראשית
Blessed are you, God, the Maker of the wonders of creation.
Preamble to the Covenant
The era of fossil fuels is ending. Alternative energy sources are on the rise. Solar and wind, both fueled by the sun, tidal energy powered by the moon, and countless other sources hardly even imaginable today, hold out great promise of clean, renewable energy tomorrow. Our support can hasten their development, discovery and adoption.
On the eve of this energy revolution, the Jewish community is preparing to celebrate the creation of the sun. Once every 28-years, we mark the return of the sun to the place, time and day of its creation. As we celebrate all of God's majestic creation, we note that the sun provides the light that powers life on earth. The resources of our planet are self-contained, and our world is constantly recycling, reusing, regenerating all that is here. All life depends the Sunlight, the only new physical element introduced afresh each day into the world.
Birkat Hahammah Covenant of Commitment
This Birkat Hahammah, we join forces to show our appreciation for the creation of the sun, and the renewable gift of light that dawns upon us each day. By signing this Covenant of Commitment, I/we pledge to hasten the day of environmental healing, social justice and sustainable living for all.
Blessings,
Yitzak