THESHOFAR'SWORDLESSCRY SAYSITALLWake-Up!

one of the most famous Jewish symbols is the shofar. The Hebrew word shofar means horn, which refers to the biblical commandment to sound the shofar on the Jewish New Year. The shofar's cry has no lyrics, and that's precisely the point. The shofar's sound means many things to many people, and they are all true. The lost little girl's cry to find her parents, the fierce general's battle cry, or the royal coronation of an ancient king, the shofar is that wordless sound that says it all.

CAN YOU HEAR THE SHOFAR?

The shofar of Rosh Hashanah has been the spiritual alarm clock of our nation. The shofar's cry is a wake-up call that can keep us spiritually awake all year.

THIS IS THE SHOFAR'S WAKE-UP CALL:

In 1648, Eastern European Jews were in deep slumber, nearly unconscious, due to the devastating pogroms and false messiahs amidst their challenging economic and political circumstances. However, in 1698, a man named Israel Baal Shem Tov was born, and his new Chasidic movement's primary goal was clear: to rouse Jews from their state of "unconsciousness."

Centuries before, the renowned philosopher Moses Maimonides (11381204) echoed a similar sentiment, urging, "Awaken, you sleepers! Rise from your slumber! Reflect on your actions, return in repentance, and remember your Creator! Those who lose sight of truth amid empty pursuits, obsessed with fleeting and worthless matters that offer no salvation or benefit, examine your souls, improve your ways, and align your motivations!"

The following is a brief overview of the sounds and significance of the shofar:

THE NAME:

The word shofar means horn but can also be translated as shapir, which means improving, shining, or polishing. The name itself encourages us to be the most polished version of ourselves. We may not choose our capabilities, but we can choose to do our best.

The shape: Unlike a straight clarinet, the shofar is inherently bent. This bent shape serves as a reminder to direct our hearts toward Heaven and others. The shofar can "bend" and twist our innate self-love into compassionate love and care for others.

THE MOUTHPIECE:

The shofar blower produces sounds by blowing air through the narrow mouthpiece, which then travels through the gradual expansion of the horn until it reaches its final openness. This transformative journey, from a constricted and limited space to one of expansiveness and growth, is beautifully expressed by King David in the book of Psalms: "From out of distress I called to You, and You answered me with ample

By Benjamin Sherman

relief." The shofar serves as a reminder that our most powerful inner voice often emerges during moments of narrow distress.

THE SOUND:

The shofar's blowing comprises three basic sounds known as tekia, shevarim, truah. The tekia is a complete long blast, the shevarim is three shorter blats, and the truah is nine rapid blasts. The tekia is always at the start and end of each shofar blowing. The Rosh Hashanah shofar service includes different combinations of these sounds.