Once again, it is coming. Tomorrow, on Monday April 8th there will be a solar eclipse visible to millions of people across north America. It will be the first total eclipse to cross the continental United States since 2017, which I was lucky enough to witness with my family from Charleston, South Carolina. This time, some 31 million people in the US will be in the path of the witness the spectacle of the totality, when the day turns to night.
I will be traveling to Indianapolis to witness the totality. Some time ago I considered a Talmudology Eclipse weekend, but happily, I could not pull that off since I must be in Chicago for a family event. It will the second total eclipse for me, and I am ready with my viewing glasses.
What does the Talmud have to say about the cause of a solar eclipse? (You would be very surprised.) You can find my essay on the topic here, which was published in the journal Hakirah. Since there are no new Jewish aspects to this eclipse as opposed to the one I witnessed in 2017, the essay remains current, other than for the descriptions and timing on that event.
Do go and see the total solar eclipse. It will (once again) be incredible.
Happy viewing.
The Forward, Sunday Jan 25, 1929
