[Avodah] Solar Eclipses and Maaseh Bereshis

[Micha Berger via Avodah]

On Mon, Aug 21, 2017 at 06:09:41PM -0400, Akiva Miller via Avodah wrote:
: > How can an eclipse be a response to human conduct when eclipses
: > occur at predictable points in time? See Maharal, Be'er Hagolah
: > 6 and Aruch L'ner (Sukkah 29a).
: 
: Can anyone offer a synopsis of this Maharal and/or Aruch L'ner? Or of
: anyone else who comments on this question?

The Maharal syas that it's not that a given eclipse happens at a time
when people are sinning. Rather, the gemara is saying that it's the
human capacity for sin which created the possibility of eclipses.

The system in which eclipses can occur is a product of human
sin. Wholesale, not retail.

The AlN says that a solar eclipse is a bad sign for non-Jews, and a
lunar eclipse a bad sign for "son'eihem shel" Yisrael. I don't see an answer
to the question in his words.

The CC believed that a solar eclipse is such a clear indicator of
Yad Hashem that it's bound to be followed by bad times for aku"m, who
continue ignoring such signs.

In modern terms, isn't it interesting that just as there are humans
around to witness it, the moon's orbit is at just the right distance
to EXACTLY compensate for the difference in size between it and the
sun? The fact that the moon blocks everything but the corona during
a total solar eclipse is an amazing "concidence".

At to that intellectual experience the emotional impact of experiencing
an imperfect sun, and yes, one can wonder how there are people who
aren't religiously moved by it.

Some local news reporters I just heard tried avoiding talking religion on
the air by using the "mother nature" personification rather than one the
listener might take as more than the mashal. But still, they naturally
used language of Wisdom and Intent.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             Man is equipped with such far-reaching vision,
micha at aishdas.org        yet the smallest coin can obstruct his view.
http://www.aishdas.org                         - Rav Yisrael Salanter
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