Chabad Northbrook hosts Blessing of the Sun, burning of Chometz

Jessica Cantarelli/Triblocal.com staff reporter 04/08/09 03:19 PM 

Locals gathered at 8 a.m. on April 8 the Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook, 755 Huehl Rd., Northbrook, to recite the Blessing of the Sun and commemorate the start of Passover with the burning of Chometz.

The event began with the group looking toward the sun to recite The Blessing of the Sun. The highly-anticipated ritual—called Birkat Hachamah in Hebrew—is performed only once each 28 years, on a specific Wednesday morning in the spring in connection with the sun returning to the same position in the sky it occupied at the time of Creation, 5,769 years ago.

The focus of the service is to thank God for "reenacting the works of creation,” and includes a brief selection of Psalms and other texts. A second blessing expresses one’s gratitude for having "granted us life, preserved us, and enabled us to reach this moment.” During the course of the program, Senior Chabad Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz delivered a short address on the significance of this event.

This year, the Blessing of the Sun will be performed on the very morning before the Passover Seder. While there is no overt ritual connection between the blessing and Passover—in fact, this is only the second time in over six centuries that the Blessing of the Sun has coincided with the eve of Passover. Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook will also facilitate people’s final opportunity to prepare for Passover by disposing of leavened foods or selling them for the duration of the holiday, culminating with burning of the Chometz (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).

For more information, please visit www.ChabadNorthbrook.com/Sun

 

    

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April 2, 2009 News Briefs:

Blessing of the Sun at Lubavitch Chabad

Northbrook residents from all walks of life will gather at 8 a.m. April 8 at Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook, 755 Huehl Road, to perform Blessing of the Sun, a rare event on the Jewish calendar.

The ritual — Birkat Hachamah in Hebrew — is performed once every 28 years in spring when the sun returns to the same sky position at the time of creation.

Senior Chabad Rabbi Daniel Moscowitz will deliver a short address.

A sampling of worldwide locations of the ceremony can be found at www.ChabadNorthbrook.com/835257.

-- By Todd Shields