Today's Lunar Eclipse

 
Above image courtesy of Wikipedia

Astronomy Israel reports that observers in North America, Central America, and Hawaii will be treated to a total lunar eclipse tonight - the night of the winter solstice, December 20 - December 21. Unfortunately, the eclipse will not be visible here in Israel. Totality begins at 2:41AM EST (which is 9:41 AM, midmorning here in Israel) and ends at 3:53AM EST on December 21, so observers on the West Coast will be able to see it at a much more reasonable hour. Partial phases of the eclipse begin about 2 hours before and after totality.

Lunar eclipses are mentioned in the Gemara, tractate Succa 29a. They are not considered to be a good omen; the Gemara says that if the eclipse appears in the West (which this one does), then"the sword" - in other words, wars and violence, will appear in the West, especially if the moon will be blood red as expected today.

Emuna uplifts us above the stars. When we cling to Hashem above, we don't have to worry about what's happening in the world below. But, only a fool can ignore the fact that the earth is a powderkeg right now, both politically and geophysically. The blood-red lunar eclipse is yet another reminder to mend our ways and return to Hashem. Let's not procrastinate.