b"h

Wednesday, Elul 4, 5776 / September 7, 2016 - Hakhel year

Q.What is the significance of the blowing of the Shofar on Rosh Hashana?

A.Each holiday has a special mitzvah connected with that particular holiday.   The special mitzvah associated with Rosh Hashana is the blowing of the Shofar. 

As with many of the other mitzvot, the Torah does not state the reason for blowing the Shofar on Rosh Hashana.  Our sages gave various explanations for the mitzvah of the Shofar and its connection to Rosh Hashana.  Here are some of them:

1) The sound of the Shofar on Rosh Hashana, the Day of Judgment, serves as a call to return to G-d.

2) Throughout the prayers on Rosh Hashana we proclaim G-d King of the universe. At the coronation of a king, it was customary to blow trumpets.  Blowing the Shofar on Rosh Hashana is our proclamation of G-d’s Kingship over the universe.

3) The sound of the Shofar reminds us of the Giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, which was accompanied by "thunder, lightning and the sound of the Shofar" (Exodus 20:15).  Sounding the Shofar on Rosh Hashana reminds us to observe the Torah and adhere to its mitzvot.

4) The Shofar is made from a ram’s horn.  The Shofar recalls the ram which was sacrificed in place of our forefather Isaac.  With that, Abraham withstood the greatest of all tests.  With the sound of the Shofar we pray that G-d take into account the merit of Abraham and Isaac for their unwavering faith in G-d, and inscribe their descendants, the Jewish people, in the Book of Life and Good Health and grant us all a sweet New Year.

5) The Shofar is also a sound of hope for it reminds us of the ultimate redemption, with the coming of Moshiach, whose arrival will be announced with the sound of the Shofar.

Q.  Why is the ram's horn, from which we blow at the Rosh Hashana service, called "Shofar?"  

A.  "Shofar" comes from the same root as "Shapru" which means to "better" and "beautify."  The sound of the Shofar is a call which reminds us to better and beautify our deeds in the coming year.

Q.    What is the meaning of "Rosh Hashana?"

A.   The literal translation of "Rosh Hashana" is not beginning of the year, but "Head of the year."  Our sages explain: just as the "head" controls the entire body of the person, so too, on Rosh Hashana, the head of the year, G-d determines what will happen the coming year.  Everything that will happen during the coming year is decreed on Rosh Hashana.

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