Weekly Torah Portion

Were you one of the millions of people who watched the solar eclipse this week? It was hard to miss the excitement and build-up to it. Schools across the nation closed in anticipation, traffic advisories were issued, and lesson plans were written around this natural phenomenon. One quarter of Airbnb guests in the U.S. booked for the eve of the eclipse stayed along the path of totality, leading to almost 90% occupancy for Airbnb properties in the region.

Historically, great rabbinic figures took time to watch a solar eclipse and instructed others to do so, as well. There is actually a discussion in the Talmud about the omen of a solar eclipse. At first glance, it seems that it is a bad omen – a sign of punishment and terrible things to come.

However, Rav Yonasan Eybeschutz, a leading Torah scholar who lived in the 18th century, explains that the solar eclipse we refer to today is fundamentally different from the terrible sign of an eclipse that is described by the Talmud. He says that if there is a change to the sun itself, such as black dots appearing on it, that would be a bad sign. But the moon covering the sun is akin to covering the light of a candle with a cloth: the light remains, though it is hidden behind a curtain. In other words, it is our perception that the light no longer exists, but in truth, within that darkness the light remains.

The solar eclipse was a powerful sight to see: the sun shrouded in darkness. And it provided us with an even more powerful lesson for difficult and trying times. Although sometimes the picture may look bleak, there is a light that we may not see. We pray to one day see that light that is behind that darkness, but for now we have faith that it is there.

Judaism offers other explanations for a solar eclipse. In Kabbalistic thought, the moon represents the Jewish people and the sun represents the rest of the world. Some of the great Jewish thinkers explain that a solar eclipse reminds the Jewish people to be an אור לגוים, a “light unto the nations.”

We are in this world to serve Hashem, care for each other, and to work on our own character. Simultaneously, we are charged with being role models for the entire world. When we live our own lives based on Torah values, it will make an impact upon our neighbors and those around us, and will ultimately impact the rest of the world.

The most significant takeaway, perhaps, is that even acts of nature have deeper meaning. As Jews, we are guided by the Torah and taught how to relate to every situation and circumstance. We can feel grounded knowing that regardless of the circumstance, we have a sacred tradition that guides us in our lives.