Chazal speak very favorably about a person who is able to time his (or her) morning prayers to coincide exactly with sunrise. Although I have done this on a fair number of ocassions in the past, usually when this happens, I am in a place where I am unable to actually see the sun rise (like the Kotel, or inside a building).

Ever since my arrival in Kochav Yaakov, I have not had a set minyan. The Ashkenzai minyan down the block has hit a dry spell, so I have alternated between the 6:45 and 7:45 minyanim at the main shul (mercazi) and the 8:30 minyan in Tel Zion (the hareidi neighborhood that is sort of part of Kochav Yaakov). Yesterday morning I decided to try out the Vatikin minyan in Tel Zion. It was suppossed to be Nusach Ashkenaz, and didn’t start too early (around 6:15 – sunrise is around 6:15 nowadays).

Well, it was quite an experience. The room where we prayed has two large windows facing east. Since we face to the South when praying (!), the windows are on the left side. I positioned myself by one of these windows. The prayers are timed so that we will reach the beginning of the amidah at appoximately the time of sunrise. We then wait and look to the east. The horizon was getting brighter. Then we could see the aura of the sun. And as the first tiny bit of the sun peaked over the horizon, the chazzan said the prayer of Ga’al Yisrael (Redeemer of Israel) and we all started our private prayers.

This was the first sunrise that I have ever seen. It was absolutely beautiful and inspiring. To think that this happens every day, while most of us are still sleeping. I know now why it is said in the Gemara that one who is somech Geula l’Tefilla (i.e.:someone who is able to start their prayers with the rising sun) will have a smile on their face all day long. (Just a reminder to myself not to take this for granted. We only have so many sunrises to see…)