- Halacha
- Special Additions
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Shofar Blowing
672
Question
What is the significance of the notes played on the Shofar? And why does the rabbi sometimes add additional notes which are not in the laypersons prayerbook?
Answer
The Torah itself mentions the Tekiah- the simple call of the Shofar, and the Teruah- the ululating sound. There are two opinions as to what kind of sound the Torah’s Teruah is- three longer wails (Shvarim) or more staccato cries (what the siddur calls Teruah). This is because both sounds are crying sounds made at different times in a person’s cry. Our Shofar blowing on Rosh HaShana includes, therefore, all three sounds.
Although the Torah gives no reason for the Mitzva, the Rambam tells us that the sound of the shofar awakens us to repentance- teshuva.
HaRav Kook explains that the simple Tekiah at the beginning and end of each series of blowing, punctuated by the ululating cries, parallels the basic sanctity of a Jewish life that is expressed through the ups and down of actions and character until, at the end, the full measure of that sanctity is revealed.
There should be no difference between your Machzor and that of your rabbi. He may instruct the person blowing the shofar to blow some notes again when he feels they were not done right the first time.

L’Dovid Hashem Ori
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Elul 11, 5769

Sof Zman Kriat Shema
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Sivan 15, 5775

Kaparat Pasha on Rosh Chodesh
Rabbi Dr. Aharon Adler | 6 Tevet 5763

ulChaparas Pasha - separate Amein?
Rabbi David Sperling | Cheshvan 8, 5779

Visitor to Israel flying on second day chag
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 3, 5782
Immersion with Earplugs
Rabbi Gideon Weitzman | 4 Tevet 5764
Immersion with Earplugs
Rabbi Gideon Weitzman | 4 Tevet 5764
