On the Jewish Holiday of Rosh Hashana the Shofar is an important part. A Shofar (pronounced SHOW-fur) is perhaps the oldest wind instrument known to man. The Shofar is made of the hollowed horn of an animal, usually a ram. The Shofar is sounded on the two days of Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew for beginning of the year) and on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement, this year Sept. 13-14), Judaism’s most sacred day.
As with all rituals in Judaism, the sounding of the Shofar is filled with deep meaning. The meaning is brought to light in the words of the Kabbalah, and the mystical teachings of Chabad, the “soul” of Judaism.
Those of you who have listened to the sounding of the Shofar on Rosh Hashana, know, there is something very moving about the experience of hearing the sound which sounds similar to the cry of a young child.
The fact that we may not have the words to describe the deep feeling is an important part of the mystical mystery of the Shofar. Many of the people that show up to hear the Shofar are not “religious” per say, yet, every year I hear new stories from participants regarding their moving experience in hearing the Shofar’s sound. Surely there must be a good reason why this sound resonates so much with our inner soul, what is behind the sound of the Shofar?
The sound of the Shofar resembles the sound that emanates from the simple breath of life, always present in our living beings. When we expel our breath, from the heated air of the heart and lungs and we enact our vocal cords, we form the sound that allows us to form words.
Consider the inward journey to the essence of our soul: Before we express our words, we first have thoughts. Prior to thoughts we have our feelings and as we move more inward we reach the “simple sound” of our living soul before there are our feelings, thoughts and words. The simple sound of the Shofar resonates deeply with us because it is similar to the simple sound at the center our precious life. This sound transcends language and words.
Thus the sound of the Shofar is described in the teachings of Kabbalah as a breakthrough light that carries the possibility of hope and renewal. Think about it. Imagine if you can start living from the space of that simple sound? Which words would you drop?
It is for this reason that it is such an important Mitzvah (good deed) to listen to the sound of the Shofar the day of the Jewish New Year. It is humanities collective birthday! This is the day we think about the past year, what we want to leave in the past, and we use the simple sound of the Shofar to generate the new energy to achieve the new goals we have for the year ahead.
As we prepare for the sound of renewal, indeed a new energy for the universe, we pray that the simple sound we make on Rosh Hashana, be filled with the simple sound of love so that it reach all of humanity at the highest level of our collective consciousness. Surely this sound within us carries the possibility of true peace on earth we all pray for.
You are welcome to join us at Chabad to hear the sound of the Shofar.
For more information regarding the High Holidays please visit jewishmalibu.com. (Reserve today: Rosh Hashana, Sept. 5 and 6; Yom Kippur, Sept. 14)
May you and yours be blessed for a year of health, wealth and true content.