As a rare and portentous total solar eclipse approaches the North American continent on Monday, heaven-watchers the world over will hold their breath in anticipation of a divine event written in the skies and reflected in the world of men. The event signals the beginning of the month of Elul, the last month of the Hebrew year, and the start of the days of repentance. Jews the world over will prepare to face their Maker on the upcoming holy days of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur as the momentous year 5777 draws to a close. This Hebrew calendar year was full of signs from above: from
eclipses to comets, from the birth of new stars to the discovery of new planets, the heavens drew aside the divine veil to reveal that God’s control of the universe is eternal and abiding. Many religious leaders and respected Jewish thinkers understood these rare and exciting events to correspond to ancient texts, prophecies and portents of the world to come. On the eve of the highly-anticipated solar eclipse, Breaking Israel News took a look back at the biggest astronomical events of the year and what they mean for the Jewish people and the nations. CONTINUE
