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.
On this sheet, we have collected in one place a variety of texts suited to different levels and interests. The discussion questions make them ready to go and easy to use. Texts and discussion questions on this sheet were designed with three learning levels in mind. Concepts from each level can be adapted for any group of learners.
The three learning levels are:
Shofar in the Torah - For Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
The verse below describes the observance of Rosh Hashanah, which is commemorated by blowing the shofar.
דַּבֵּ֛ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜י בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ יִהְיֶ֤ה לָכֶם֙ שַׁבָּת֔וֹן זִכְר֥וֹן תְּרוּעָ֖ה מִקְרָא־קֹֽדֶשׁ׃
Speak to Bnei Yisroel, saying; in the seventh month, on the first of the month, shall be for you a [day of] rest. A remembrance of the sounding [of the shofor], a holy assembly.
Discussion:
- The verse in Vayikra connects remembering to the sound of the shofar. What does the sound of the shofar remind you of?
- How do you feel when you hear the sound of the shofar?
Shofar in the Talmud - For Middle School (Grades 6-8)
The following text is from the Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Rosh Hashanah.
Rabbi Abbahu asks why a shofar is made from a ram's horn. His answer presents a rather surprising explanation for the purpose of sounding the shofar.
אמר רבי אבהו למה תוקעין בשופר של איל אמר הקדוש ברוך הוא תקעו לפני בשופר של איל כדי שאזכור לכם עקידת יצחק בן אברהם ומעלה אני עליכם כאילו עקדתם עצמכם לפני
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 He, 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 stead a ram was sacrificed, and I will ascribe it to you as if you had bound yourselves before Me.
Discussion:
- According to this text, what are we hoping God will remember when we blow the shofar?
- In what way will God connect the Torah event described above to us today?
- For whose benefit do you think we blow the shofar? For us? For God? For both? Explain your answer.
Shofar in the Mishneh Torah - For High School (Grades 9-12)
Medieval Torah scholar Rambam tells us the shofar is meant to be a wake-up call of sorts.
הַכָּתוּב רֶמֶז יֵשׁ בּוֹ כְּלוֹמַר עוּרוּ יְשֵׁנִים מִשְּׁנַתְכֶם וְנִרְדָּמִים הָקִיצוּ מִתַּרְדֵּמַתְכֶם וְחַפְּשׂוּ בְּמַעֲשֵׂיכֶם וְחִזְרוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה וְזִכְרוּ בּוֹרַאֲכֶם.
Its blast is symbolic as if saying: "You who sleep, rouse yourselves from your sleep, and you who are sleeping, wake up, examine your conduct, turn in repentance, and remember your Creator!
Discussion:
- The word "teshuva" (תשובה) is often translated as "repentance" but it can also have another meaning. Rambam uses the word in the above text.
- Rambam uses the image of waking up in relation to teshuva. What does it mean to wake up in a symbolic sense? How do you think the shofar helps you to “wake up” to teshuva?