SPONSORED IN MEMORY OF JJ GREENBERG Z”L. MEMORIES OF JJ CONTINUE TO PROVIDE STRENGTH AND HOPE TO MANY OF US BECAUSE OF HIS TRUE LOVE FOR LIFE, ISRAEL AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE

According to Rabbi Saadya Gaon, the Shofar is blown on Rosh Hashana for the following reasons:

Since Rosh Hashana was the day of creation, we coronate God as King by the blowing of the Shofar.

Rosh Hashana is the first day of the Aseret Ymei Tshuva, Ten Days of Repentance that culminate with Yom Kippur. The sound of the Shofar is the final warning that we must do Tshuva (repent).

The sound of the Shofar reminds us of Maamad Har Sinai, The Revelation at Sinai where there were blasts of the Shofar.

The sound of the Shofar can be compared to the sharp words of the prophets reminding the Jewish people to repent.

The sound of the Shofar reminds us of the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, The Temple in Jerusalem which was destroyed while the enemies played their trumpets.

The Shofar reminds us of Akedat Yitzchak, The Binding of Isaac and the ram that saved the day.

When we hear the Shofar, we tremble and humble ourselves

The Shofar reminds us of the ultimate Day of Judgment.

The Shofar inspires us with hope for Kibbutz Galuyot, the ultimate ingathering of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel.

The Shofar reminds us of the ultimate resurrection of the dead which will be brought in with the sounding of the Shofar.

When the Shofar is blown, we must have Kavana, concentrate on the reason that we can most identify with.

May the sounds of the Shofar, our Kavana and our prayers reach the heavens and may our prayers be answered.