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The Birkath Hahahammah
Blessing on the Sun
Taken from ATorahMinute.com

The Birkath Hahamah, the blessing on the sun, is recited every 28 years on a Wednesday morning, because the Sun was created on a Wednesday.

The season (Tequfa) of the sun starts on a Tuesday night, which is the beginning of Wednesday according to the Jewish calendar. When a person sees the sun in its season every 28 years, in the morning, he says the Berakha (blessing) of "Barukh... 'Oseh Ma'aseh Bereshith" (the One who makes the act of Creation).

What is the reason why we recite this blessing at this time on a Wednesday? The answer is that it is because the sun, at that time, is in the self same position that it was in at the time of Creation.

In order to say the Birkath Hahama (Blessing on the Sun) with Shem Umalkhuth (G-d's name) the Berakha (blessing) must be recited before the end of the third hour of the day (Sha'oth Zemanioth). If one missed that time, the blessing should be recited without G-d's name till midday.

In 5769 (2009) the times for New York City are till 9:43 with a blessing and 12:58 for those who do it without.

There are those who say that the Berakha may be recited with G-d's name till noon. However, since there is a doubt about it we apply the concept of "Sefeq Berakhoth Lehaqel (where there is a doubt about a blessing it should not be recited) and do not say the blessing with G-d's name after the third hour. It should be noted that the Berakha of Sheheheyanu is not recited with the Birkath Hahamah (Blessing on the Sun).

In order to recite the blessing one must see the sun itself and not just its light or rays. Also it must not be seen through a cloud.

Who is obligated to recite Birkath Hahamah (the blessing on the sun)? Men are obviously obligated to recite the Birkath Hahamah, but there is  a difference of opinion about a woman's obligation. There are those who say that women recite the Berakha (blessing) on the sun with Shem Umalkhuth (with G-d's name). The Hatham Sofer, had doubts whether a women should recite the blessing or not.

It says in Ben Ish Hai, that since there is a difference of opinion in this matter, we must apply the concept of, "Safeq Berakhoth Lehaqel" (when there is a doubt about a blessing, it should not be recited). As such, he says that the correct way to do it is, for the women to be present at the time that the blessing is being recited, and that when the Hazzan says the Berakha aloud, on his own, he should have in mind that his Berakha is covering the women also. The women should listen intently to the Berakha, and have in mind that they are fulfilling their obligation through it.

The order of the Birkath Hahammah (Blessing on the Sun) is as follows:

The congregation should assemble at a vantage point from where the sun can be seen clearly and read the special portions that should be read before the blessing.

(You can download them here, but if they are printed out they may not be thrown away. Please keep them with your other religious books.)

Then the men, except for the Hazzan, recite the Berakha (blessing) of "'Oseh Ma'aseh Bereshith" (the One Who makes the work of Creation).

As far as women are concerned, we mentioned previously that there is a difference of opinion. There are those who say that women should recite the blessing. But as we mentioned, since there is a doubt about this, it is appropriate to apply the principle of "Sefeq Berakhoth Lehaqqel" - where there is a doubt about a blessing, it should not be recited.

As such, after the men have finished reciting the blessing, the Hazzan then says the blessing out loud and has in mind that his blessing covers the women also. The women, who should be standing near the men, must listen intently to the blessing of the Hazzan and also have in mind that they are fulfilling their obligation through his blessing.

Incidentally, someone who is, G-d forbid, blind and is unable to see the sun, should also be included in the blessing of the Hazzan and should have in mind that the Hazzan's blessing is covering him also.

(See Ben Ish Hai, Shanah Aleph, Parashah 'Eqeb, Oth Yod Teth)

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