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TORAT MIZRACHI

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

The Deep Significance

of the Shofar

he shofar has a number of uses shofar here is expressing G-d’s King- accompanying the shofar blowing are
in Tanach, the most basic of ship (Shemot 19:16). an expression of the day’s essence –
Twhich is as a musical instru- joy and celebration at being so close
ment, expressing joy. For example, At the time of the conquest of Jeri- to G-d, together with the awe, fear
when bringing the Aron up to Jeru- cho, the shofar combines both aspects and trepidation of standing before
salem, David and the people blow the – it’s a war, but it’s a miraculous war, Him in judgement.
shofar as part of the great celebration hence the blowing is performed by the
(Shmuel Bet 6:15). Similarly, in Tehil- Kohanim before the Ark of G-d: “And I think that Ezra and Nechemia
lim 150:3: “Praise Him with the blast the seven Kohanim carrying the seven taught the people the right balance
of the shofar, praise Him with lyre and shofars before the Ark of G-d walked between these two feelings on this
harp.” on and blew the shofars” (Yehoshua day: “So Ezra the Kohen brought the
6:13). Torah before the congregation… on
The blowing of the shofar at the the first day of the seventh month
beginning of the Jubilee year can also On Rosh Hashanah, we have the [Rosh Hashanah]… and Ezra blessed
be interpreted as a sound of joy, but opportunity to stop and listen to the Hashem, the great G-d… they bowed
its purpose could simply be to pro- sound of the shofar, which arouses and prostrated themselves in front
claim the start of the momentous our hearts and awakens our internal of G-d… and they read clearly from
year. Shofar as announcement appears voice. Indeed, the blasts of the shofar G-d’s Torah, applying wisdom… and
numerous times, particularly in con- can make us tremble and fearful, like Nechemia said… ‘Today is holy to the
nection to war, for example, when the shofar sounded at the start of a L-rd your G-d. Don’t mourn and don’t
Gidon calls upon the local residents to war. It hits us with a powerful sense cry,’ for all the people were crying as
gather for war (Shoftim 7:8), or when of what the Day of Judgement is, as they heard the words of the Torah.
Shaul blows the shofar after Yonatan we recall our mistakes and failures, And he said to them, ‘Go eat from
kills the Philistine commissioner as feel trepidation for the year ahead and the best foods and drink sweet bev-
a sign for the war to begin (Shmuel spur ourselves to do teshuva out of erages… because the day is holy to
Aleph 13:3), and many others. Yirat Hashem (the fear of G-d). our Master and don’t be sad because

It appears the function of the shofar On the other hand, at the same time, rejoicing in G-d is your fortress”
(Nechemia 8:2-10).
was to declare war, to warn, and to the sound of the shofar can stir feel-
cause the people to gather in prepa- ings of celebration and joy, like an Ezra and Nechemia taught the people
ration for war. Indeed, the shofar instrument accompanying festive that Rosh Hashanah is a day of holi-
became so identified with war that occasions. ness, and it is fitting to contemplate
it is sometimes mentioned as a syn- In addition, the shofar on Rosh one’s Avodat Hashem and mitzvah
onym for war or the fear that accom- Hashanah can also express the cor- observance and give an accounting of
panies it: “Is the shofar ever sounded onation of G-d as King over the oneself. On the other hand, one must
in a city and people do not fear?” World, and perhaps in that sense it be wary of slipping into sadness and
(Amos 3:6). really does integrate the two aspects tears. It is a day of joy, of celebration,

In addition to joy and announcing above: Coronating G-d is a festive “because rejoicing in G-d is your for-
tress.” That is what gives us the feeling
war, blowing the shofar is also used and joyous event, yet it also carries of security and serenity. That is what
to mark the coronation of kings (see an element of duty and responsibility, gives us true joy.
Melachim Aleph 1 as an example). and may be destructive when human
beings are not worthy of it. That’s
At Har Sinai, G-d’s Revelation is pref- why many prophets describe the day Rabbanit Sharon Rimon teaches Tanach
aced by the blowing of the shofar, and of G-d as א ָ רֹונ ְ ו לֹודָּ ג – great and full and is Content Editor for the HaTanakh
we can deduce that the sound of the of awe, i.e. our contrasting emotions website.

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