Introduction
On Rosh Hashanah, it is a mitzvah for Jewish people to hear the sound of the shofar, as mentioned in Numbers 29:1, where this day is referred to as the “day of the blast.”
| 1 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. | א וּבַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ, מִקְרָא-קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם–כָּל-מְלֶאכֶת עֲבֹדָה, לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ: יוֹם תְּרוּעָה, יִהְיֶה לָכֶם. |
Scriptural Foundations
Several texts in the Tanach provide reasons for this mitzvah:
| 16 A day of the horn and alarm, against the fortified cities, and against the high towers. | טז יוֹם שׁוֹפָר, וּתְרוּעָה, עַל הֶעָרִים הַבְּצֻרוֹת, וְעַל הַפִּנּוֹת הַגְּבֹהוֹת. |
| 3 All ye inhabitants of the world, and ye dwellers on the earth, when an ensign is lifted up on the mountains, see ye; and when the horn is blown, hear ye | ג כָּל-יֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל, וְשֹׁכְנֵי אָרֶץ, כִּנְשֹׂא-נֵס הָרִים תִּרְאוּ, וְכִתְקֹעַ שׁוֹפָר תִּשְׁמָעוּ. |
Zephaniah anticipates the Day of Judgment at the end of days, while Isaiah reminds us of the time when the dead will be resurrected. Both texts connect to Rosh Hashanah, which is not only the Jewish New Year but also a day of judgment. This judgment is for everyone, not just the Jewish people, as stated in Mishna Rosh HaShanah 1:2:
..on Rosh HaShanah, all creatures pass before Him like sheep [benei maron], as it is stated: “He Who fashions their hearts alike, Who considers all their deeds” (Psalms 33:15); …
The Role of the Shofar
The sound of the shofar awakens our awareness that people are judged on their deeds, leading to reward or punishment, life or death. Although Noahides are not obligated to listen to the shofar, it can still make them aware of this process. This is similar to the prophet Jonah’s call to Nineveh, where he warned the city that God would judge it within forty days [and destroy it]. This message led the inhabitants to self-reflection and repentance, and God granted them mercy and spared the city.
Although we should reflect on our deeds daily and make an accounting at the end of each day, the routine of daily life can sometimes cause our souls to become drowsy, leading us to forget this reflection. The sound of the shofar can awaken the soul, making us realize that we need to improve our character traits and observe the commandments given by God: Jews by following their 613 commandments and non-Jews by observing their 7 commandments.
The Shofar as a Trumpet for the King
In ancient times, the arrival of a king was often announced with the sound of trumpets. The shofar can be seen as a type of trumpet that heralds the arrival of the King, as mentioned in Psalm 98:6
| 6 With trumpets and sound of the horn shout ye before the King, the L-RD. | ו בַּחֲצֹצְרוֹת, וְקוֹל שׁוֹפָר– הָרִיעוּ, לִפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ ד’. |
We wish to serve this King by living according to His will and observing His laws to the best of our ability.
By Angelique Sijbolts
With thanks to Rabbi Reuven Weinreb for blowing the Shofar
With thanks to Rabbi Tani Burton for the feedback
Sources:
Sefaria – Shofar
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