Ophthalmologist: Don't look Directly at The Sun At Birkat HaChama

Jews who at dawn on Wednesday observe the once-in-28-year Birkat Hahama or 'Solar Blessing' should not look directly at the sun, as gazing directly for even a few seconds at a sliver of the brilliant star can cause irreversible damage to the retina.

The blessing is traditionally said when looking at the dawning sun when, according to Jewish tradition, the sun, Earth and the other stars and planets are positioned in the exact same place as they were at the Creation of the world and the Exodus from Egypt.
Asked to comment on whether there are any health dangers, Prof. Anat Loewenstein, chairman of the ophthalmology department at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center considered the matter and said gazing directly at the sun - even a small piece of it - can lead to permanent harm. "The rays won't burn the retina in the eye but it can cause a chemical change and hurt the center of vision, resulting in solar retinopathy. This can happen during a solar eclipse as well. The deepest layer of photoreceptors can be harmed."

She told The Jerusalem Post that people who do expose their eyes even for a few seconds to the sun's rays may not be aware of any changes at first. But when they are asked about it, they will notice changes in pigment of what they see. Only then will they understand that they suffered damage," she said.

"It is not known exactly how much time one sungazes before damage sets in. It is also probably a variable thing according to the individual. But even when the sun sets and a reddish sun appears on the horizon, it is very advisable not to look at it. The rays still reach the eye," said the senior ophthalmologist.

She advises using the same tool that is used to view a solar eclipse: Put your back to the Sun and use an empty box with a pinhole facing the sun to indirectly see its shadow inside the box.

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Birkat Hachamah (Blessing the Sun)

(Picture by E. Richardson)

A unique opportunity — once in 28 years

It is only the third time in history that the Blessing of the Sun will be recited on the Eve of Passover. The first time was at the actual Exodus from Egypt. The second time was during the time of the Purim story. The third time will be this year — so expect big things to happen!

G‑d made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night . . . And it was evening and it was morning, a fourth day. —Genesis 1:14, 19

One who sees the sun at its turning point should say, “Blessed is He who reenacts the works of Creation.” And when is this? Abaya said: every 28th year. —Talmud, Tractate Berachot 59b

Every 28 years the sun returns to the same position, at the same time of the week, that it occupied at the time of its creation—at the beginning of the fourth day of creation. A special blessing – called Birkat Hachamah, “the sun blessing” – is recited to mark this event. Due to the rarity of this event, this blessing is customarily recited amid large public gatherings of men, women and children. This year we will perform this special mitzvah on the morning of April 8 (the morning before Passover). It is only the third time in history that the Blessing of the Sun will be recited on the Eve of Passover. The first time was at the actual Exodus from Egypt. The second time was during the time of the Purim story. The third time will be this year — so expect big things to happen!

The blessing is traditionally preceded and followed by a short selection of Psalms and prayers. The existence of nearly all life on Earth is fueled by light from the sun. Every morning without fail, the sun rises in the east and bathes us with its sustaining rays, causing flora to grow and, through the process of photosynthesis, providing oxygen for all fauna.

Some may call this phenomenon nature. We will gather on April 8th and declare otherwise: “Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who reenacts the works of creation.” It is only the third time in history that the Blessing of the Sun will be recited on the Eve of Passover. The first time was at the actual Exodus from Egypt. The second time was during the time of the Purim story. The third time will be this year — so expect big things to happen!

The blessing on the sun should be recited on Wednesday morning, April 8, 2009, after sunrise and before a quarter of the day has elapsed—the earlier the better. If one missed this time, the blessing can be recited until midday. Ideally, the blessing should be recited outdoorsafter the morning prayers, amidst a grand gathering of men, women and children—as befits the excitement accompanying the fulfillment of such a rare mitzvah.

If possible, try to wear a new garment while reciting the blessing. The prayer service can be downloaded at www.jrcc.org/sun Before reciting the actual blessing on the sun, stand at attention with feet together and look at the sun. Do not, however, look at the sun while reciting the blessing. At the conclusion of the service it is customary for everyone to donate money to charity.
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