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Tuuuuuu!
The focal point of Rosh Hashana is the sounding of the Shofar. But what is a Shofar? When do we sound it and why?
I collected especially for you 6 things which you may not know about the Shofar.
1. What is the Shofar made of?
It is made of a ram’s horn.
2. When do we sound the Shofar?
On Rosh Hashana, except when it falls on Shabbat, it’s a Mitzvah for each one of us to hear the sounding of the Shofar. We need to make sure to hear it on Monday 30/09/19 and on Tuesday 1/10/19.
There is also a custom to sound the Shofar during the month of Elul on weekdays. The Shofar reminds us of the upcoming High Holidays and urges us to improve our actions and arrive to Rosh Hashana well prepared.
At the end of Yom Kippur, we also sound the Shofar to mark the end of the fast. It is important to know that the Shofar of Yom Kippur is simply a custom whereas the Shofar on Rosh Hashana is a Mitsvah, a commandment.
3. Crowning the King
On the first day of the year, we crown again G-d as our King. G-d, of course, does not need us to crown Him in order to rule over us, but He wants to rule over us with our acceptance. We should crown Him.
The Shofar is like the trumpets sounded on the day of the crowning. Long life to the King!
4. Wakeup call
Wake up! Those of us who are deeply occupied with various material matters – let’s wake up and let our soul express herself. The Shofar sounds like a call, a cry that comes from the depth of the heart and calls us to think a little about our situation. To reflect on the passed year, see what should be continued during the New Year and what should be improved. This year should be better that the previous one.
5. The Shofar in the near future
Very soon, we will hear the sounding of the Shofar which will mark the arrival of Mashiach! The moment we have been waiting for so long.
6. Who will hear the Shofar this year on Rosh Hashana 5780 – 2019?
Everyone! I, you, our parents, our children, our students, our friends and the entire Jewish community of Greece. No one wants to miss it! 😊
Ktiva vechatima tova leshana tova umetuka!
Shabbat Shalom
Hanna