By Rabbi Jonny Caller
One hundred blasts, piercing and poignant, moving and majestic. They are emotive, yet they are elusive too. They can be so overwhelming, and so stirring, that we can fail to channel it into tangible thoughts that can inspire us. When we hear the shofar, we face a choice: momentary emotion or lasting inspiration. How do we make that choice? Which thoughts can we choose to have? How do we keep those blasts within us long after Rosh Hashana?
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the reknowned Chassidic sage, once spent a long time searching for a man who would be worthy of blowing the shofar in his synagogue. Rosh Hashanah was in sight, and although many sought the privilege, demonstrating their expertise in the mystical secrets associated with the shofar, none of them were to his taste.
One day, a fresh applicant approached Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, who proceeded to ask him which deep mysteries he meditated on whilst performing the special mitzvah.
"Rabbi," said the newcomer, "I'm only a simple Jew. I don't understand much about the hidden things of the Torah. But I have four daughters of marriageable age, and when I blow the shofar, this is what I have in mind: 'Master of the universe! Right now I am carrying outYour will. I'm doing Yourmitzvah and blowing the shofar. Now, Hashem, You, too, please, please do what I want, and help me marry off my daughters.'"
"My friend," said Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, "you will blow the shofar in my synagogue!"
Indeed, fulfilling God’s will, and recognising that He lovingly runs even every personal detail of our lives, are perhaps the greatest thoughts that one can choose to have.
"Why do we blow [the shofar] on Rosh Hashanah?" the Gemara asks. In response, the Gemara exclaims, "Why do we blow? – God has told us to blow!" That is Rosh Hashanah. The shofar blasts prompt a reality check. It is an opportunity to recognise the big picture: God is King. I am not.
The shofar produces three distinct sounds:
1. Tekiah – one long, straight blast.
2. Shevarim – three medium, wailing sounds.
3. Teruah – 9 short successive blasts.
Tekiah is the sound of truth and confidence. We set our values straight, and declare to ourselves that ultimately, God runs the world.
Shevarim is the weeping cry of a Jewish heart – longing to connect, grow and accomplish.
And Teruah is an alarm clock, shaking us out of our apathy to care.
The word shofar is related to the Hebrew word, leshaper – to beautify. The shofar blasts remind us who is King, but also of the beauty that He brings us. The shofar stirs us to utilise our Divinely-given strengths, talents and tailor-made circumstances, using His Torah as our guide. It inspires us to beautify our lives and the lives of others. And that is lasting.
