A TORAH MESSAGE FROM
THE RABBI
This week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo, contains a list of the blessings that will be Israel’s if the people obey God’s laws, and a list of punishments that will await Israel if the people do not obey God’s laws. Moses’ underlying message is that, where Torah is concerned, we are in control of whether we receive blessings or punishments. It is our choice to follow the law and it is our choice not to follow the law. Thus, in many respects, we control our own destinies.
This is the time of year that our tradition requires us to do a personal accounting in preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. (In Hebrew this is called Heshbon Hanefesh, literally an “accounting of the soul”) It is also our choice whether or not to take this personal review seriously. One of the reasons we listen to the shofar every morning in the month of Elul is that it reminds us to perform this exercise.
The following prayer is contained in Mahzor, Lev Shalem (The prayer book we are using this year for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur)):
May the Cry of the shofar shatter our complacency.
May the cry of the shofar penetrate our souls.
May the cry of the shofar break the bonds of all that enslaves us.
May the cry of the shofar destroy the idols we have placed at the forefront of our lives.
May the cry of the shofar awaken us to the things we have done wrong.
May the cry of the shofar summon us to a life of responsibility.
May the cry of the shofar elicit the response, “Here I am.”
May the cry of the shofar remind us that we can change.
May the cry of the shofar penetrate our hearts.
May the cry of the shofar bring blessing to us, the people who hear its call.
Pinocchio had Jiminy Cricket; we have the shofar. (There is a children’s book in there somewhere.)
The shofar reminds us every morning to do a thorough review. Whether it is the shrill physical sound, or the memories it evokes, the shofar simply cannot be ignored.
You can participate in this daily ritual. To hear the shofar, join us any morning Sunday thru Thursday. The morning service starts at 8:15. (Sunday morning is at 9:00) The shofar will be blown right around 8:45. (9:30 on Sunday)(It is perfectly okay if you only have time to hear the shofar!)
When we hear the shofar the goal is to make sure that we look at ourselves and make efforts to change that which can be changed. God willing the process will help us to speak kindly or act kindly. Perhaps it will help us to repair what is broken.
In God’s plan, ultimately, it is our choice to look at who we are and it is our choice to do what we do. Let the shofar prompt us to do the work that we need to do.
May we hear the shofar and be energized to be our best selves..
Tekia Gedolah!
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
