B"H

Tuesday, Elul 5, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / August 22, 2023

The Shofar is sounded each day throughout the month of Elul, after the morning service, except on Shabbat.    

Q.Why do we blow the Shofar each day of this month?

A. After G-d told the Jewish people the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, Moshe went up the mountain to receive the Two Tablets. He stayed on the mountain for forty days. Unfortunately, Jews miscalculated when Moshe was coming back and as a result made The Golden Calf, on the day before he actually descended.

When Moshe came down the mountain and saw what they did, he broke the Tablets. Moshe went up again for forty days to pray and ask forgiveness for the people. G-d told him to bring up two tablets upon which G-d will inscribe the Ten Commandments a second time.

On Rosh Chodesh Elul, Moshe went up again and stayed there for another forty days. Thus, the entire month of Elul and an additional ten days until Yom Kippur, Moshe was on the mountain. On Yom Kippur G-d completely forgave their sin and Moshe came down with the second set of Tablets.

In order to make sure that the people won’t miscalculate again, and the sin of the Golden Calf would not be repeated, they blew the Shofar the entire month of Elul to remind the people that Moshe was coming back. From then on it was established to blow the Shofar throughout the month of Elul.

The sounding of the Shofar during this month also serves as a wake-up call. It reminds us of the significance of this month, for it’s the last month of the year.

Our sages compare the month of Elul to a businessman who, at year's end takes stock of his business situation.  Analyzing his accomplishments during the outgoing year and reflecting upon his mistakes and opportunities which he missed during the year.  Taking stock and reflecting on past performances is essential to the continuation and success of the business.  The month of Elul serves the same purpose.  During this month we take stock of the past year, thus preparing for the new year.

Q.  Why is the holiday called "Rosh Hashana?"

A.  The literal translation of "Rosh Hashana" is, "Head of the year."  Rosh Hashana is not only the beginning of the new year, but even more important, the "head" of the new year.

Our sages explain that just as the head controls and directs the activities of the entire person, so too, everything which will transpire in the coming year is determined on Rosh Hashana.

The numerical value of the word Shana (year) is 355. The regular Hebrew year, which is lunar based, has a total of 355 days, as the numerical value of the word shana-year.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY & SHANA TOVA