In the Gemara in Brachot (59b) we learn: "When seeing the sun at its Tekufah, the moon at its strength, the stars in their paths, and the Zodiacal constellations in their order, one says Blessed be the Maker of creation. " "And when does this happen? " "Abaye said: Every 28 years when the cycle begins again and the Nisan equinox falls into Saturn on the evening of Tuesday, going into Wednesday." As recorded in the Chumash, the sun was created on Wednesday - and every 28 years it returns to the same spot. You can read more about it at http://www.answers.com/topic/birkat-hahammah This year on Wednesday Erev Pessach (8 April 2009) is the 206th time the sun will be back at its original location. There's an entire order-of-prayer that is traditionally said and can be found at http://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/pdf/pdf93/birkatHamaA.pdf At the very least one should say the following Bracha when first seeing the sun on Wednesday, Erev Pessach (8 April 2009)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Halocho #290 A rare Mitzvah: once every 28 years
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Halocho #113 - When did the 12 spies leave?
Today (Wednesday 29 Sivan) is Erev Rosh Chodesh Tamuz. On 29 Sivan 2450 - some 3,318 years ago - the 12 spies left on their 40 days reconnaissance of the Promised Land. Tachanun is not said at Mincha on Erev Rosh Chodesh. Some people have the custom of adding the Yom Kippour Katan prayers during Mincha. Some even fast on Erev Rosh Chodesh to atone for the sins of the past month. Rosh Chodesh Tamuz is on Thursday and Friday. Tonight - Wednesday night - one starts adding Ya'aleh Veyavo into the davening (prayers) and bentching (grace after meals); forgetting to do so at night does not require amendment. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 97:1 - Danny See the Halocho a Day on profile as an RSS feed.Go to http://www.facebook.com/editnotes.php?import and import from http://halocho.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss
