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- Rosh Hashanah is the day
that commemorates the creation of the world and it is
described as the "coronation" of Hashem (G-d).
As it is customary to sound a trumpet at a king's
coronation so we blow the shofer on Rosh Hashanah. By
blowing the shofar we recognize the "purpose" of
the creation.
-
The
shofar blast marks the beginning of a period of amnesty
which is known as The Ten Days of Repentance. Repentance
is based on the fact that since humanity has been given
free-will, and our actions are not pre-determined, we must
take responsiblity for our actions. The ability to repent
teaches us that our future is not bound by our past and
that by changing our behaviour we have the ability to
change our past. - When the Jews accepted the
Torah at Mount Sinai, the sound of the shofar is described
as "continuously increased and was very great"
(Exodus 19:19). The shofar serves to remind us of the
revelation at Mt. Sinai and therefore to renew our
commitment to Hashem and to accept that Torah morality is
absolute and G-d given - not relative, nor does it depend
on human understanding.
- The prophets called out to
the Jewish People and aroused them to improve their ways.
The shofar reminds us of the admonitions of the prophets
and their calls to repentance. We should be aware of the
fact that Hashem communicated with us, via the prophets,
and displayed through them His desire to perfect us and
not to punish us.
- The shofar reminds us to
pray for the rebuilding of the Temple where trumpets and
shofars were sounded. Just as Hashem manifests His
presence in the world in specific places like the Temple
in Jerusalem. He also manifests His presence at special
times, such as the Ten Days of Repentance.
- The ram's horn reminds us
of the Binding of Isaac when Abraham demonstrated his
absolute faith in Hashem by being prepared to sacrifice
his son. Hashem demonstrated His absolute love for Abraham
by having him sacrifice a ram in his place.
- The sound of the shofar is
supposed to inspire fear in the hearts of those who hear
it. It allows one to dwell upon fear of punishment, to
progress from there to fear of doing evil and then to fear
of G-d. Finally one arrives at the feeling of awe of G-d.
- The shofar reminds us of
the day of judgment in the future. And inspires us to pray
for the perfection of world, all of mankind and the
Messianic era.
- The sound inspires us to
yearn for the ingathering of the Exiles, that will be
heralded by the sound of a shofar. There will be absolute
unity amongst the Jewish People and our connection to Land
of Israel will again be absolute.
- The shofar recalls the
resurrection of the dead which will be accompanied by the
sound of a shofar. As G-d is the source of all life and
the creator of all existence so He has complete control
over death.
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