Interesting. I had no idea. From Arutz-7:
Though the sun is some 400 times larger than the moon, a blessing over the latter is made nearly 350 times more often than over the former. This coming month will see that rare occasion when the Blessing Over the Sun is recited.
Jewish Law stipulates that a special blessing is to be recited when we see the sun at the same place, on the same day of the week, and the same time of day as when it was created. The first chapter in Genesis, which tells the story of Creation, tells us that the sun was created on a Wednesday. Precisely one solar year, or 365.25 days (52 weeks and 1.25 days) later, the sun was in the same place – but not on the same day of the week, nor at the same time of day; it was rather but rather a quarter of a day later.
The “quarter-day” problem is solved every four years, and the “same day of the week” issue is resolved every seven years – and both problems are solved simultaneously only once every 28 (4×7) years.
This year marks the culmination of a 28-year-cycle since Creation (5769-1= 5768 = 28×206). Thus, four weeks from now, on Wednesday, April. 8, the vernal equinox, the sun will be in the same position, on the same day of the week and the same approximate hour, as it was when it was created. This “starting position” actually occurs the previous evening, but we recite the blessing over the sun to mark this anniversary only when it is visible – that is, the next morning.
The special blessing – – “Blessed are You… Who fashions the work of Creation” – commemorates the vast greatness of G-d’s Creation.
The last time this special blessing was recited, April 8,1981, special gatherings were held in various locations for the public recital of the prayer – including atop one of the Twin Towers of the no-longer-extant World Trade Center in New York.
The story continues here.
intriguing…