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Rabbi Art Green, the founder of the Rabbinical School at Hebrew College, teaches that the shofar is, "not just a game or a strange musical performance." Rather, it is the wordless sound evoking a forgotten language. There is a Hasidic tale of a king who is reunited with his son after a long absence. The son has forgotten his native language, but when he sees his father, his wordless cries connect them heart to heart, in a place beyond words.

Rambam/Maimonides, or Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (1138-1204)

Mishneh Torah 3:4

(4) Even though the blowing of the shofar on Rosh HaShanah is a Biblical decree, it hints at something, i.e., “Wake up, sleepers, from your sleep! And slumberers, arise from your slumber! Search your ways and return in teshuvah and remember your Creator! Those who forget the Truth amidst the futility of the moment and are infatuated all their years with vanity and nothingness that will not help and will not save, examine your souls and improve your ways and your motivations! Let each of you abandon his wicked ways, and his thoughts which are no good."

Answer the following questions.

1. To whom is the shofar is crying out in the parable and according to Rabbi Green?

2. To whom is the shofar crying out according to Maimonides?

3. Is the shofar conveying a message that can be put in to words, according to the parable and Green?

4. Is the shofar conveying a message that can be put in to words, according to Maimonides?

Rabbi Sa'adiah ben Yosef Gaon (882-942)

There are many reasons for the sounding of the shofar. Among them are these:

Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of Creation, and we, on Rosh Hashanah, accept the Creator as our Sovereign, as it is said: "With trumpets and the blasts of the shofar acclaim the Sovereign God." (Psalms 98:6).

Second, since Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Ten Days of Repentance, the shofar is sounded to herald their beginning, as though to say: 'Let all who desire to repent, turn now.'

Third, the shofar reminds us of our stand at Sinai, as it is said: "The blast of the shofar grew louder and louder." (Exodus 19:19), in order that we may take upon ourselves what our ancestors took upon themselves when they said: "We will do and we will hear" (Exodus 24:71).

Fourth, it reminds us of the Binding of Isaac, who was offered to Heaven and was re-placed by the ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So ought we to be ready at all times to [devote our lives to God].

Finally, it reminds us of redemption, that we may long passionately for it, as it is said: "It shall come to pass on that day that a great shofar will be sounded; and all the lost shall return" (Isaiah 27:131.

Rav Sadya gives five reasons for blowing the shofar. Read the passage and then list them below in your own words.

We blow shofar because…

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Can you think of another reason to blow shofar? What is it?

Which one of Rav Sadya’s reasons speaks to you? Why?