Shalom All,

Many Jews believe that the High Holy Day season begins with Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, and ends with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. But the truth is, according to the rabbis, that the season actually begins with Rosh Chodesh Elul, the first of the month of Elul, a full four weeks before Rosh Hashanah. This year, Elul began at sundown on August, leaving us just a few weeks till the New Year. In many congregations, during the month of Elul, the shofar is blown every day. A daily reminder that the days of repentance are nearing – A daily call to start preparing ourselves for the work ahead.

On Rosh Hashanah there are four specific shofar blasts we hear: 
(1) Tekiyah – An unbroken blast of normal length, 
(2) Shevarim – Three short blasts in succession,  
(3) Teruah – Nine rapid blasts in succession, and
(4) Tekiyah Gedolah – A extra-long Tekiyah

I have no doubt, as has been the case since Bill Gasway’s passing, that Mike Heeren will do an excellent job upstairs, using Bill’s shofar, while Brian Cohen inspires our Traditional group (as he has done for decades now).

But what do the sounds of the shofar call forth? Why blow it, everyday of Elul and multiple times on Rosh Hashanah? One explanation of this ritual is that the shofar is like a Jewish alarm clock, intended to stir our souls with its uniquely deep and eerie sounds. It is supposed to wake us out of our slumber and urge us to change our lives and our world for the better in the upcoming year. Rosh Hashanah, together with Yom Kippur, are an opportunity for each of us to pause and take stock of our lives and our world, to reflect on who we are and how we can improve. The shofar is an instrument that can help us with this spiritual work, but it is incumbent on each one of us to follow up and take action.

The Holy Days are just around the corner. Whether or not we hear the shofar everyday leading up to it, or just on Rosh Hashanah, we are all expected to be ready. Selichot services are Saturday night, September 13th, Rosh Hashanah begins on Monday the 22nd. 

May the year ahead be filled with joy and good health. 
May the year ahead be filled with learning and wonder.
May the year ahead bring us closer together.

L’Shanah Tovah u’Metukhah – A good and sweet year to us all.

Rabbi Todd