Blowing The Shofar
On Rosh Hashana we blow the shofar not once, not twice, not ten times and not twenty. We blow it one hundred times each day. The shofar, however, is not blown on Shabbat. When Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbat, we only blow the shofar one day – its a two-day holiday.

The shofar makes a loud noise! But the shofar is also saying something. It says, “Wake up! Listen to your still small voice that tells you what is right. Do something good for someone else! Say you are sorry when you have done something wrong.”

We blow the shofar so we can hear its message. It is not enough just to hear the shofar. We must also understand its meaning. If we only hear the noise, and not the message, the sound of the shofar won’t help us. As you hear this shofar call, remember tefillah, remember to pray.

Sounds Of Shofar Blowing
Tekiah – One long, steady blow
Shevarim – Three-not-too-long-not-too-short blows
Teruah – A long line of quick, short blows

Shofar Song
T’kiah, sh’varim, t’ruah, t’kiah’
The shofar sounds so loud and clear.
T’kiah, sh’varim, t’ruah, t’kiah
Tshuvah’s turning toward a sweet new year.

T’kiah, sh’varim, t’ruah, t’kiah
The shofar calls to me and you.
T’kiah, sh’varim, t’ruah, t’kiah
Remember all the mitzvot you can do.
T’kiah, sh’varim, t’ruah, t’kiah

Published On: 10 Av 5770 (10 Av 5770 (July 21, 2010))