Wednesday, September 15, 2004
The sounding of the Shofar (Days of Awe - part 2)
Ninth century Rabbi, Saadiah Gaon, gave us ten reasons the Creator commanded us to blow the ram's horn on Rosh Hashanah.
1. The first is because Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of Creation, on which the Holy One, be blessed, created the world and reigned over it. Kings do the same, who have trumpets and horns blown to let it be known and heard everywhere when the anniversary of the beginning of their reigns fall. So we, on Rosh Hashanah, accept the kingship of the Creator, be blessed. Thus said David: "With trumpets and sound of cornet [shofar] make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King" (Ps. 98:6)
2. The second reason is that, since Rosh Hashanah is the first of the ten days of Teshuvah, the ram's horn is blown to announce their beginning, as though to warn: Let all who desire to turn in Teshuvah, turn now; and if you do not, you will have no reason to cry injustice. Kings do the same: first they warn the populace in their decree, and whoever violates the decrees after the warning complains unheeded.
3. The third reason is to remind us of our stand at the foot of Mount Sinai, as it is said: And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder... (Exodus 19:19), in order that we may take upon ourselves that which our forefathers took upon themselves when they said "will we do and be obedient" (Exodus. 24:7).
4. The fourth reason is to remind us of the words of the prophets, which were compared to a ram's horn, as it is said: "Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head...But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul" (Ezek. 33:4-5).
5. The fifth reason is to remind us of the destruction of the Temple and the battle alarms of the foe, as it is said: "...because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war" (Jer. 4:19). When we hear the sound of the ram's-horn, we beseech God to rebuild the Temple.
6. The sixth reason is to remind us of the binding of Isaac, who offered himself to heaven. So ought we to be ready at all times to offer our lives for the sanctification of His Name. And may our remembrance rise before Him for our benefit.
7. The seventh reason is that when we hear the blowing of the ram's horn, we fear and tremble and bend our wills to the will of the Creator for such is the effect of the ram's horn, which causes shaking and trembling, as it is written (Amos 3:6): "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid"
8. The eighth reason is to remind us of the great Day of Judgment, that we may all fear it, as it is said (Zeph. 1:14-16): "The great day of the Lord is near, it is near and hasteth greatly ... a day of the trumpet and alarm..."
9. The ninth reason is to remind us of the gathering of the dispersed of Israel, that we may passionately long for it, as it is said (Isa. 27:13): "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown; and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria."
10. The tenth reason is to remind us of the revival of the dead, that we may believe in it, as it is said (Isa. 18:3): "All ye inhabitants of the world, and ye dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye."
Several years ago, I got to hear the sound of the shofar echo through the streets of downtown Houston. It was majestic. To hear it sounded with skill and reverence was the most beautiful and powerful sound I have ever heard.
