Dear friends,
While we won't get to see a total eclipse here in Richmond tomorrow, many of us will nevertheless be taking some time to witness the "Great American Eclipse." Some will even be travelling to places where they will be able to view the whole megillah.
Our tradition provides us tools to more fully experience awesome events like these. My colleague, Rabbi David Seidenberg, has helpfully compiled some prayers, blessings, and study texts for the eclipse. Please find them below, as well as some links to additional materials, should you choose to avail yourselves of them. I hope that these materials elevate and deepen your experience of this natural wonder. And, wherever and however you choose to view the eclipse, please be sure to do so safely.
L'shalom,
Rabbi Knopf
Prayers, blessings, and study texts for the Eclipse
The crown of the sun, in Hebrew, atarah, becomes revealed only in the total eclipse. By all accounts, totality is a unique experience far different than witnessing a partial solar eclipse. It seems right therefore to say an additional blessing when one is privileged to see it. Here is one suggestion:
For the partial eclipse, when the sun’s light still fills the sky:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם עוֹשֶׂה מַעֲשֶׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית
Barukh Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh Ha’olam `oseh ma`aseh v’reishit
Blessed be You YHVH/Adonai our God, Ruler of all space and time, maker of the work of Creation.
For totality, when the sun’s atarah becomes visible:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁכּוֹחוֹ וּגְבוּרָתוֹ וְזִיווֹ מָלֵא עוֹלָם
Barukh Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh Ha`olam shekocho ug’vurato v’zivo malei olam .
Blessed be You YHVH/Adonai our God, Ruler of all space and time, whose power and might and radiance fill the universe.
A prayer to say anytime during the eclipse:
May the revelation of the sun’s wings bring us healing, as it says, וְזָרְחָה לָכֶם יִרְאֵי שְׁמִי שֶׁמֶשׁ צְדָקָה וּמַרְפֵּא בִּכְנָפֶיהָ — “And the sun of righteousness will shine for you and will bring healing in its wings, and you will go out and gambol like calves set free.” (Malachi 3:20/4:2) May we recognize with awe the grandeur of Your works, as it says, שְׂאוּ מָרוֹם עֵינֵיכֶם וּרְאוּ מִי בָרָא אֵלֶּה — “Lift on high your eyes and see: Who created these?” (Isaiah 40:26) so that we may filled with אַמִּיץ כֹּחַ courageous strength to heal the Earth from human destruction. May salvation arise for the heavens that shield and protect us (the atmosphere), so that sun’s rays will shine for blessing, for us and for all life.
All of the above along with more texts and verses can be found in neohasid's 3-page pdf.
Download the pdf
Follow this link for more Earth prayers on neohasid.org.
Follow this link for a list of resources from all over the web
