Councillor Cohen joins Rabbi Raskin at the podium during the Blessing of the Sun.
On the eve of Passover this morning I participated in a most moving ceremony at the future site of the Beth Chabad Hechal Menachem Community Centre at the corner of Kildare Road and Marc Chagall as about 200 people gathered for Birkat Hachama , also known as the Blessing of the Sun.
This refers to a Jewish blessing that is recited in appreciation of the Sun once every 28 years when it returns to the same position at the same time of the week that it had occupied at the time of its creation. It was a special significance this year because of the connection to Passover. As people arrived a fire lit to facilitate the burning of Chametz. Rabbi Mendel Raskin led the prayers from what will be the parking lot of the much anticipated facility which will be ready for next Rosh Hashanah. While it was chilly outside, people sang, danced and shared in some snacks. Then, as the ceremony drew to a close the clouds parted and the sun began to appear. "We are witnessing a miracle," Rabbi Raskin proclaimed.
