Introduction
A central mitzvah (commandment) of Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the shofar. The sound of the shofar, a ram's horn that is played like a trumpet, is a defining symbol of the festival and evokes strong memories for many people.
Shofar in the Torah
Read the texts below and answer the questions that follow on a googledoc
(כד) דַּבֵּ֛ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜י בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֤ה לָכֶם֙ שַׁבָּת֔וֹן זִכְר֥וֹן תְּרוּעָ֖ה מִקְרָא־קֹֽדֶשׁ׃
(24) Speak to the Israelite people thus: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe complete rest, a remembrance of the shofar blast on a holy occasion
Part I:
The verse from Leviticus commands the observance of Rosh Hashanah, which is commemorated by blowing the shofar.
- According to this verse, in what month and on what day is Rosh Hashanah?
- How does this match or clash with when we celebrate Rosh Hashanah today (on the 1st of Tishrei)?
- In your opinion, what is the connection between memory and the sound of the shofar? (Record each group member's answer)
Shofar in the Talmud
The following text is from the Babylonian Talmud (a post-Tanakh, legal and narrative text).
Read the text and answer the questions below on your googledoc.
Similarly, Rabbi Abbahu said: Why does one sound a blast with a shofar made from a ram’s horn on Rosh HaShana? The Holy One, Blessed be God, said: Sound a blast before Me with a shofar made from a ram’s horn, so that I will remember for you the binding of Isaac, son of Abraham, in whose place a ram was sacrificed, and I will give you credit as if you had bound yourselves before Me.
Part II:
- What question is Rabbi Abbahu asking?
- According to this text, what will the shofar remind God?
- Once God is reminded, what will happen to us?
- For whose benefit do you think we blow the shofar? For us? For God? For both? Explain your answer. (Record each group member's answer)
(ד) אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁתְּקִיעַת שׁוֹפָר בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה גְּזֵרַת הַכָּתוּב רֶמֶז יֵשׁ בּוֹ כְּלוֹמַר עוּרוּ יְשֵׁנִים מִשְּׁנַתְכֶם וְנִרְדָּמִים הָקִיצוּ מִתַּרְדֵּמַתְכֶם וְחַפְּשׂוּ בְּמַעֲשֵׂיכֶם וְחִזְרוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה וְזִכְרוּ בּוֹרַאֲכֶם:
(4) Aside from the fact that the blowing of the shofar on Rosh ha-Shanah is a ruling from the Torah, its blast is also symbolic. It is as if [the shofar is] saying: "You who are sleeping, awaken, and you who are tired, emerge from your slumber, examine your conduct, turn in repentance, and remember your Creator!..."
Part III:
1. Why do we blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah besides "because the Torah says so"?
2. Name 3-5 things that the shofar is supposed to inspire us to do according to this text.
3. Which one of these things is the most difficult and why? (Record each group member's answer)
The chorus of this song is:
I can hear the shofar callin, callin, callin
Listen up & no stallin’
I think I should change my mind
G-d's given me the time
I don’t need another sign
I’ma get right
1. How does Abraham "change his mind" in the story of the Akeida (Binding of Isaac)?
2. Based on the texts we read above, how is the shofar supposed to inspire us to "listen up" and "get it right"?
The last line of the song is "It's important that we pay attention to the calls that G-d sends us in our lives to fulfill our mission."
3. When is a time when you felt God send you a message or when you felt you absolutely had to do something because it was the right thing to do? Record each group member's answer.
Wrapping it all up!
Part V:
1. How the sounds of the shofar connect you to Rosh Hashanah or teshuva (repentance)?
2. How do you feel or think of when you hear the shofar? (Record each group member's answer)