Dear Rabbi Simon,
What is the most appropriate berachah (if any) upon observing a full solar eclipse? Happening on Wednesday in London at 7:12pm!
Many thanks,
Sol
Dear Sol
Thank you for the timely question.
As the solar eclipse was regarded, in antiquity, as an ominous indicator, the Sages did not formulate a berakhah upon observing it. (Cf the historical experience of Columbus in the New World in 1504, saved by the famous Almanac of astronomer and sage Rabbi Avraham Zacuto. Also the fictional account in Mark Twain’s Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.) And we do not devise newfangled berakhot of our own. However, I can recommend reciting two inspiring and familiar selections from Tehillim: 121 and 148.
Happy viewing ???? .
Rabbi Rashi Simon