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On the night of Friday, July 27th, the longest lunar eclipse of the century will appear in the heavens over Israel, with one rabbi labeling it “an omen for Israel.” Though it is remarkable in its longevity, lunar eclipses are not rare, occurring an average of three times each year. In its discussion of eclipses, the Talmud (Sukkot 29a) specifically described solar eclipses as being a bad omen for the nations. Indeed, the complete solar eclipse that transversed the continental United States last summer ushered in the
most devastating hurricane season in US history. The same source in the Talmud specifies that lunar eclipses are a bad omen for Israel since Israel is spiritually represented by the moon. If the lunar eclipse takes place in the east side of the heavens, then it is a bad omen for all the nations in the east, and similarly, if it occurs in the western hemisphere of the sky, it is a bad sign for all the nations in the west. It is important to note that the lunar eclipse on Friday night will appear in the eastern sky. Rabbi Lazer Brody, an American-born Hasidic rabbi and teacher .. READ MORE
