Why We Blow the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah

It is now Rosh Hashanah (Head of the year).

L'shanah tovah; which means Happy New Year in Hebrew.

The Holiday’s origins derive from the Torah.

And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no manner of servile work; it is a day of blowing the horn unto you. (Numbers 29:1)

A common question Jews and non-Jews often ask is, “Why do we blow the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah?”

Eliyahu Kitov, author of Book of Our Heritage provides ten reasons.

First, we reinforce our acceptance of G-d as king. Trumpets are blown for coronation ceremonies of kings, and G-d is our king.

Second, it serves as a warning for people to repent. Rosh Hashanah takes place ten days before Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) where G-d decides who will be sealed in the Book of Life for another year.

Third, it reminds us of when the Israelites heard G-d’s revelation Mount Sinai. They heard the blasting sound of the shofar.

Fourth, the Shofar reminds us of the prophets’ words when they encouraged our ancestors to follow in the path of G-d. Their words are comparable to the sound of the Shofar.

Fifth, the Shofar reminds us of the destruction of the Temple because during battle, the sound of trumpets and bugles blasted. Hearing the sound of the Shofar blasting during our services is supposed to compel us to ask G-d to rebuild the Temple.

Sixth, the sound of the Shofar recalls the binding of Isaac, where he was ready to give up his life. We are trying to reach the same level of dedication to G-d that Isaac had. At the end of the binding, Isaac’s father Abraham sacrificed a ram instead of his son. The Shofar is the ram's horn.

Seventh, hearing the sound of the Shofar is supposed to make us humble ourselves, and to tremble before G-d.

Eighth, the Shofar reminds us of the awesome judgment that is happening on Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Judgment.

Ninth, it is to remind us of the gathering of the exiles, an event, which will occur in the future. The Shofar helps us long for those days to come.

Tenth, it is a reminder that one day, G-d will resurrect the dead.

There are three specific Shofar sounds we hear on Rosh Hashanah: Tekiah (which is rooted), Shevarim (broken into pieces), and Teruah (broken and incomplete).

Tekiah is one long sound. Shevarim consists of three medium wailing sounds, and Teruah consist of nine quick blasts in succession.

In Hebrew, the words Yom Teruah is used in
place of Rosh Hashanah. As mentioned, Teruah refers to something,
incomplete or broken. Teruah is a humbling sound. We have to
break down our spirit and become humble, which makes it possible for us to
repent.

The Shofar is a spiritual battle cry. It must be longer than a person’s fist. The horn of the Shofar can be from any kosher animal except the cow. The cow is disqualified because it is a reminder of the Sin of the Golden Calf.