The Hebrew calendar is measured from the time the universe was created.

Also, the first 12 months from the time of Creation was considered Year 1 because there was no such thing as Year 0. And, although to most people a day begins after midnight, according to Jewish law, a day spans from sundown to sundown.

Therefore, the first day of the week begins at sundown on Saturday night. So here in Israel on Saturday night when Shabbat (the Sabbath) ends, we say in Hebrew “Shavua tov,” meaning ” have a good week.”

According to the Torah, the Jewish bible, the sun was created on the fourth day of the week of Creation. Therefore, the sun was created at sundown on a Tuesday, the beginning of the fourth day of the week on a Hebrew calendar.

Also according to Jewish law, the sun's solar cycle occurs once every 28 years from the time of Creation. So every 28 years, the sun returns to the exact position it was in at the time it was created on the fourth day of the week, Tuesday night at sundown. And this occurs in an odd numbered year since we count from 1 instead of from 0.

Just Days Away

Confused yet? Why am I even writing about this?

Next week, on Tuesday night, April 7, 2009, the sun will complete its 206th 28-year cycle and will be in the same position it was at the time of Creation.

The following morning, Wednesday, April 8, at sunrise, or within a few hours thereafter, people all over Israel will go outside and gather together to recite a special blessing called “Birkat HaChama” for this rare and exciting event. The blessing is ” Blessed are You, Lord, our G-d, King of the Universe, who reenacts the works of Creation.”

Afterward, another blessing is recited, thanking G-d for granting us life, sustaining us, and allowing us to reach this occasion. Psalms and prayers also are recited and then we donate money to charity.

Better Appreciate This One

For me, this may be a once in a lifetime occasion since it will not occur again until I am in my 80s. Twenty-eight years ago, I was a non-religious Jew living in the U.S. with no knowledge of this event or its significance. But living in Israel, what is observed by only religious Jews in the rest of the world, is observed by even the non-religious here.

So, if any of you get the chance, on Wednesday morning the 8th, go outside, look at the sun, and think about the fact that it was created almost 6,000 years ago.

You do not have to be Jewish to appreciate G-d's creation.

L'hitraot, Shachar

Shachar is the Hebrew name of a California-based attorney and former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy who moved to Israel last year.