Birkat HaChammah (the blessing over the sun) is said every 28 years, which is the amount of time it takes for the sun to return to the same location in the heavens where it was first set during the Creation, 5768 years ago. In a very rare occurrence, the completion this year of the 207th 28 year cycle coincides with Erev Pesach. To mark this occasion, we recite the blessing oseh ma’aseh v’reishit (. . . Who performs the work of Creation) upon seeing the sun on Wednesday morning, April 8.
The Hebrew text of the blessing is “ברוך אתה ה’ אלוקינו מלך העולם עשה מעשה בראשית”.
> The ideal time to recite the blessing is upon witnessing sunrise.
> The blessing can be said until the end of the third halachic hour of the day (which is the same as the last time for eating chametz. According to some opinions, it may be recited until midday.
> The blessing may be said even if only the outline of the sun is visible through the clouds.
> It is preferable to recite the blessing in the presence of a minyan.