Plaque for Birkat ha-Hammah (the Blessing of the Sun), Hayyim Jacob Engelhard, 1925

Ink and gouache on paper, (16¾  x 21 in.; 425 x 535 mm). Creased. Mounted in a wood frame.

J. David Bleich, Bircas Ha-Chammah, Blessing of the Sun: renewal of the creation: a halachic analysis and anthology. New York: 1981

Ink and gouache on paper, (16¾ x 21 in.; 425 x 535 mm). Creased. Mounted in a wood frame.
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This plaque was created in celebration of Birkat ha-Hammah, a special Jewish prayer recited once every twenty-eight years.  According to the Babylonian Talmud (Tractate Berakhot 59b), every 28 years the sun returns to its celestial position at the time of the Creation. The Sages used this opportunity to institute a special prayer acknowledging God's might and his creation of the world.  The next time this blessing is scheduled to be recited is Wednesday, April 8, 2009. The present lot was written and illustrated to commemorate the Blessing of the Sun that took place on Wednesday, April 8, 1925.  Inscribed on the center of the panel is the blessing "Blessed are you, our God, King of the universe, who effects the work of creation."  In addition,  the plaque contains verses from Psalms that are recited as part of the ceremony including Psalm 148 (inscribed in roundels around the blessing), Psalm 19 (bottom left) and Psalm 121 (bottom right).  The artist has further embellished the plaque with images of the zodiac, the sun and the moon, and two rampant lions which flank the  blessing at center.