It hasn’t happened in nearly 100 years. There’s already traffic on the streets. State and federal agencies are bracing for the influx of visitors. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Idaho is smack in middle of the action.
On Monday, August 21, the USA will experience a total solar eclipse. It’s an amazing phenomenon that doesn’t happen too often. And, it’s extremely rare for it to pass over the entire USA, albeit totality will only be in a 70-mile-wide band.
But, should we say a blessing when we see the eclipse? We Jews have a blessing for everything. For the food we eat, for the clothes we wear, for weddings and death, for holidays and burning the chametz, for circumcision and new fruits. We also make blessing upon seeing lightning, thunder, rainbows and even upon seeing the oceans. In fact, there is a special blessing we recite for the sun once every 28 years! So, you might ask, what’s the blessing for witnessing an eclipse?
To better understand the eclipse, we need to ask a more basic question: Is the total solar eclipse a good sign or a bad sign?
The Talmud (Sukkah 29a), based on the fourteenth verse of the Torah, teaches, “When the sun is stricken, it is a bad omen for the entire world.”
Jewish tradition clearly maintains that the eclipse is a negative sign. Why?
Undoubtedly, the Talmudic scholars were well-versed in the sciences of the day, which already acknowledged the natural, predictable nature of eclipses. So, why did they declare it an ill omen?
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This week’s parsha, Re’eh, opens with the following words:
“Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse. The blessing, that you will heed the commandments of the L-rd your G-d, which I command you today; and the curse, if you will not heed the commandments of the L-rd your G-d, but turn away from the way I command you this day, to follow other gods, which you did not know.“
G-d seems to be delivering a straightforward message: Following the Torah and its commandments brings blessing. Straying is a recipe for the opposite.
But, why does the Torah say that G-d sets before us a blessing and a curse? Shouldn’t it say, a blessing or a curse? If we choose to follow His instructions, it brings blessings. If not, we end up with the other option. Why does the Torah employ the word and?
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My wife Esther grew up in South Africa. The first time she saw snow was when she was 15 years old. She remembers waking up that morning and, in sheer excitement, running out into the blizzard. She was so thrilled that she forgot to put on a coat. After a few minutes of euphoria, she realized she had better go inside and dress up if she wants to enjoy the now rather than suffer frostbite from it.
So, was the snow a blessing or a curse?
It was a natural phenomenon. A beautiful part of Hashem’s magic. But, if inadequately prepared, it can also be a hazard.
Just like driving on slick roads requires extra caution, one needs to be careful when enjoying the splendors of the world. My wife lovingly reminds me to keep my eyes on the road when we are driving through the beautiful Idaho scenery.
Staring at the sun is dangerous. During an eclipse we are tempted to do so. But, without protective glasses it can be harmful.
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During the eclipse the moon blocks the sun. But, that’s only from our vantage point. In truth, the sun shines brightly – even during totality.
Everything physical is the result of a spiritual energy. According to Kabbalah, the time of an eclipse is a time of negative spiritual energy. The moon blocking the sun is symbolic of G-d’s energy being blocked. But really it’s only blocked from our view. In heaven it still shines brightly.
A solar eclipse, it turns out, is a time of negative energy. That’s why the Talmud terms it a bad omen. But, if we are cautious, we can indeed utilize the situation properly. Just as we need to be physically cautious when driving through a blizzard, we ought to be spiritually cautious during an eclipse (in addition to wearing eclipse glasses!).
In fact, by being aware of a hazard, we can turn the challenge into an opportunity. We can enjoy the snow, get to our destination, and get a rare glimpse of the sun. Being aware of the danger is the secret to overcoming it.
It turns out something can be a curse and a blessing all at the same time.
This is why most Jewish authorities maintain that a blessing is not recited during an eclipse. Rather than simply celebrate, it’s time to put on our spiritual safety belts.
On Monday, during the eclipse, try to do a mitzvah. By doing so, we can transform a rare negative energy into a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual high.