Video – Hawaii TV Broadcasted Birchas HaChama Live

HONOLULU [KGMB9] — Scores of Hawaii residents from all walks of life gather this morning at Ala Moana Beach Park, to perform the rarest event on the Jewish calendar: They will gather together, peer upward toward the sun, and recite a blessing known as “the Blessing of the Sun.”

Local participants join millions of others across the globe who perform the outdoor blessing ritual at synagogues, schools, beaches, public parks and private homes.

The highly-anticipated ritual, called Birkat Hachamah in Hebrew, is performed only once each 28 years, on a specific Wednesday morning in the spring when it is calculated that the sun returns to the same position in the sky it occupied, and at the same time of the week, as it was at the time of Creation, 5769 years ago.

“Year of Gathering People”

“The world has changed drastically since the last time this blessing on the sun was recited,” observed Rabbi Krasnjansky, citing the creation of the World Wide Web and the breakup of the Soviet Union as examples. “But blessing God for His natural wonders reminds us to reflect on the miracles and blessings in our daily lives, to focus on the fact that God continues to sustain our universe.”

In his remarks, Rabbi Krasnjansky will also discuss the significance of global participation in this rare ritual. This year is known as a year of “Hakhel,” or gathering, during which Jews throughout the world commemorate an ancient unifying pilgrimage to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem by convening gatherings focused on study and good deeds.

This year, the Blessing of the Sun is performed on the very morning before the Passover Seder. While there is no overt ritual connection between the blessing and Passover, this is only the second time in over six centuries that the Blessing of the Sun has coincided with the eve of Passover.

Rabbi Krasnjansky talks about the connection between the two, and also facilitate people’s final opportunity to prepare for Passover by disposing of leavened foods or selling them for the duration of the holiday.

Leavened foods, such as bread and pastries, are prohibited throughout the Passover holiday, from late morning of April 8 at sundown, through April 16 at nightfall. Click here for additional information.