Today is a big day Jewish wise. Passover begins tonight - and today is a rarely occuring (every 28 years) Jewish holiday commemorating the creation of the sun. This holiday has not been much celebrated. It last occured around the time of Ruth's birth. With the concern about global warming and the need to preserve our earth and utilize solar energy Jews around the world are placing more emphasis on this holiday this time around. Here is the basi information posted on my favorite Jewish ritual site, http://ritualwell.org/

Tradition holds that the sun was created at the spring equinox, the first hour of the night before the fourth day of Creation. Every 10,227 days – according to the Babylonian Talmud, tractate Berachot 59b – the sun returns to its position at Creation. As codified in the Shulchan Aruch and on the basis of intricate calculations reconciling the Jewish and Gregorian calendars, Birkat HaChammah, a prayer service marking this 28-year cycle, is conducted on a Wednesday in the month of Nissan, when the sun is about 90 degrees above the eastern horizon.

The year 5769 is such a year. The Blessing of the Sun takes place on April 8, 2009 (erev Pesach). It is interesting to note that the secular date was the same throughout the 20th century, and scholars have determined it will continue to be marked on this date throughout the current century.

In recognition of the stresses on the world's environment, many and varied Jewish organizations also are seeking to make this a singular occasion for raising our awareness and taking responsibility as caretakers of "the Earth and all that dwell therein."

Ruth found a powerful utube video with pictures of innovative uses of solar power around the world and a beautiful song.

Words and Music: Unknown
Performed by Rabbi Shawn Zevit of "Generations"

Powerful sun full of radiant light
Weave us the web that spins the night
Web of stars that holds the dark
Weave us the earth that feeds the spark

Strand by strand, hand over hand
Thread by thread, we weave the web

To hear the song and see how some are harnessing the energy of the sun, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=629JxUYTlFk.

Used by permission of artist

My very sleepy blessing is that each reader of this blog finds new energy from diverse sources and channels that energy to renew self, others, and earth.