I wrote this Erev Chag Pesach, on the Eve of the Passover Holiday, after returning home from the Birkat HaChamah Prayers in Shiloh.

L'havdil, (to differentiate,) just like a ray of the sun is just a tiny aspect of the sun's power, the few pictures I'm posting now are just a few of what I photographed minutes ago at the united Shiloh Birkat Hachama prayers. Our various and varied minyanim, prayer groups, met at a lookout on the eastern side of Shiloh, overlooking Shvut Rachel, Givat Achiya and Kida.

None sufficiently illustrate the feeling of masses of people who attended, including three generations of some families.

G-d created the world in seven days. Yes, I know that six is the number generally used, but Chazal, our wise men, also consider the concept of Shabbat to be part of creation.

The sun was not among the very first things created. It was in the middle, the fourth out of the seventh days. That's why Birkat HaChamah must be on a Wednesday, the fourth day of the week. We're celebrating the "birthday of the sun."

In a sense, it's related to Shabbat, because the week is divided between "before Shabbat" and "after Shabbat." Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are post-Shabbat, while Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are pre (preparing for) Shabbat.

This year's Birkat HaChamah has an additional element in that it's the Eve of Passover. Tonight is Leil HaSeder, Seder Night. I have a lot of work yet to do before Pesach, so if I don't have time to post again,

Chag Kasher V'Sameach

Have a Kosher and Joyful Holiday

Today is also my maternal grandmother's yartzeit, the anniversary of her death.

Chaya Raizia (Ida) Vishnefsky Finkelstein Shankman, ZaTza"L, L'Ilui Nishmata, May her soul be elevated.