ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם, עושה (מעשה) בראשית

From a cursory glance, this halachah is hard to understand.  What is so significant about this date that we should wake up early to make a brachah upon seeing the sun?  If this is supposed to be at the Spring Equinox, why is it that we make the blessing in April, when the Astronomical Equinox is in March?

The sources in halachah, the background mathematics, and the meaning of this blessing will be explored in the coming chapters, with the help of He who imparts understanding to man.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: Halachic Sources
• Chapter 2: Background on the Hebrew Calendar Year
  
• Chapter 3: Background To The Hebrew Week
• Chapter 4: The Solar Cycle
  
• Chapter 5: The Lunar Cycle
• Chapter 6: The Luni-Solar Cycle
  
• Chapter 7: Confronting Facts to Find Truth
  
• Chapter 8: Where To Go From Here

• Appendix 1A: Chart of the Jewish Week - Day View
• Appendix 1A: Chart of the Jewish Week - Hour View
• Appendix 2: Chart of the Solar Cycle
• Appendix 3: Chart of the Lunar Cycle
• Appendix 4: Chart of the Combined Luni-Solar Cycle
• Appendix 5: Misconceptions of Geulah in 5769
  
• Appendix 6: Translation: Pirkei D'Rebbi Eliezer Chapter 6
• Appendix 7: Translation: Pirkei D'Rebbi Eliezer Chapter 7