Gathered beneath a gray sky Wednesday morning, close to 25 members of the Chabad-Lubavitch Center in Wilmington awaited Rabbi Chuni Vogel. As Vogel stepped forth to lead the group in prayer, the sun broke through, warming the crowd.

"Just in time," he said.

Every 28 years, when the sun returns to the same position on the same day of the week that it occupied on the day they believe it was created, members of the Jewish faith gather to celebrate God's work. On the morning of the fourth day of creation, they believe God created the sun.

Vogel, who has been an ordained rabbi for 25 years, never had led a "Sun Blessing," or Birkat Hachamah, before. For members of the Chabad-Lubavitch Center, Wednesday's rare blessing held even more significance because of its timing, he said.

"When the solar and lunar calendars connect and converge on the morning of Passover, it is an anomaly," Vogel said. "This blessing, which is all about renewal and a new cycle of everyday living with God, was also very special because it was held on the porch of our new Chabad center, and that is what our center is all about."

The lunar cycle began anew Wednesday, and the centuries-old blessing reminded followers to stop and appreciate a new beginning. The sun's cycle has ups and downs, just as the Jewish people have had throughout their history, Vogel said.

"We take a moment to pause and internalize," he said. "The sun is something that many take for granted. It gives off its rays and it's constantly shining. It constantly gives. I do not take for granted when the sun rises in the morning."

Because Jews are monotheistic, Vogel said it is important to remember the gathering is held in the name of God. Although the sun was blessed in prayer, it was not being worshiped, but rather, celebrated.

"We recognize that God is the one who continuously creates life," he said. "It's a thought that we take very seriously, and it empowers our faith. We marvel and connect with the creator in action."

Passover, the holiday of freedom and the beginning of the Jewish people, is something that followers of all faiths can learn from and connect with, Vogel said. Appreciating freedom and its true meaning is important to everyone, he said.

Each year, the history of the Jewish people is extended with the celebration of Passover, he said.

"It is the longest playing story of mankind," Vogel said. "For 3,321 years it has been passed on. It is an awesome, living chain, and each year Passover adds a new link."

As the morning's blessing came to a close, the rabbi faced the crowd smiling.

"See you in 28 years time," he said.