It is proper for parents to train their children to recite Birkat Ha’hama (the Beracha recited every twenty-eight years, when the sun returns to its original position), once a child has reached the age of training in Misvot. This is generally assumed to take place at the age of six or seven, though it depends on each individual child’s development.
This Halacha flows naturally from the ruling of the Mishna Berura (Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1839-1933), in Siman 426 (1), that children from this age should be trained in the monthly recitation of Birkat Ha’lebana. By the same token, children should be instructed to recite Birkat Ha’hama, as well. Similarly, the Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 70) rules that children who reached the age of training in Misvot should recite the Shema each day; this ruling, too, should likely be extended to Birkat Ha’hama.
The Ben Ish Hai (Rabbi Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), in Parashat Ekeb (Shana Rishona, 19; listen to audio recording for precise citation), describes the recitation of Birkat Ha’hama in his community on 5 Nissan, 5657 (1897). He writes that a large congregation, both men and women, assembled on the rooftop for the event. The Rabbi recited the Beracha in a loud voice so that the women could hear and fulfill their obligation through his Beracha. All the men then repeated the Beracha after him, and they all recited the verses and hymns that traditionally accompany Birkat Ha’hama, followed by Kaddish Al Yisrael. Afterward, the Ben Ish Hai delivered a Derasha (lecture) on the subject of Birkat Ha’hama.
It appears that it is proper for the Rabbi in every community to deliver a Derasha after Birkat Ha’hama, to teach and inspire the people about this special event. Indeed, Rav Pinhas Zevihi, in his work Ateret Paz (listen to audio recording for precise citation), records such a practice and writes that this is a proper custom to follow. He adds that some people have the custom to eat a festive meal and give charity on the day of Birkat Ha’hama to give praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty for granting them the privilege of performing this rare and special Misva.
It is reported that the great sage Rav Yaakov Kaminetzky (1891-1986) was privileged to recite Birkat Ha’hama four times during his lifetime. There is likewise great excitement in Israel over the fact that Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, one of the Torah giants of our generation, will, please God, be fulfilling this Misva for the fourth time this Erev Pesah. We should all approach this Misva with great anticipation and enthusiasm, and feel grateful to the Almighty for enabling us to reach this occasion.
Summary: Children who have reached the age of training in Misvot should be taught to recite Birkat Ha’hama. It is proper for Rabbis to deliver a Derasha (lecture) on the subject of Birkat Ha’hama after the congregation recites the Beracha, and some eat a festive meal and give charity on the day of Birkat Ha’hama to thank the Almighty for allowing them to reach this special occasion.
