The rare event of Birchas Hachama, one of the unique blessings recited only once in 28 years, took on another historic dimension in Odessa, Ukraine.
In a seaport city on the Black Sea the entire Jewish community gathered this past Wednesday, Erev Pesach, to make the blessing.
While that might not seem a novelty in other communities, in the fourth largest city in the country it was a rarity.
All year round the city has two active Chief Rabbis – Chabad’s Rabbi Avraham Wolf and the Litvish Rabbi Shlomo Baksht.
For what may be the first time ever, the two held a joint event for their communities, commemorating the special Jewish occasion.
“This was a true Hakhel,” Rabbi Wolf told COLlive.
Vgor ze’ev im keves??? Go Wolfs!
woohooo!!!
go wolfs!!!
Alexander namdar, Shvedia