WCBS 2 News: Blessing of the Sun in New York

WCBS channel 2 news.
Blessing Of The Sun "Birchas Hachamah" in New York

At dawn Wednesday morning, Jews all over the tri-state observed a ritual that comes around only once every 28 years. It's called the Birkat Hachamah, or the "Blessing of the Sun."

The blessing marks the moment according to some rabbinical scholars when the sun returns to the spot in the sky it occupied during creation.

In places all over the world, from New Zealand to Israel and Italy to Brooklyn, observant Jews are waking up early for outdoor prayers and dancing.

More than 1,000 Jews gathered on Kent Avenue around Dawn in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, and even more just 10 minutes away on Bedford Avenue, for a special service to witness the extraordinary occurrence.

"Look at this. It's a beautiful sun. It's a beautiful sun. G-d is looking out for us," says on participant who came to celebrate the day.

The moment was marked with song, dance, and celebration, and made even more exciting in that tonight marks the start of Passover.

"Everybody's ready for the holiday. It's like we're getting another happy day. It's like a bonus," said one Rabbi.

The last blessing of the sun was back in 1981, with a massive celebration taking place in Crown Heights. Back then, other celebrations to greet the dawn took place atop the Empire State Building and World Trade Center.

Most of Wednesday's Blessing of the Sun services were brief because it also happens to be a busy day for Jews as Passover begins at sundown. The holiday commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt after generations of slavery. And with it comes the traditional dinner, the seder.