Blowing the Shofar
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We begin the month of Elul by blowing the Shofar.
The Tur cites the Pirkei D'Rebbi Eliezer that states that when Moshe ascended the mountain to receive the second Luchos, a Shofar was sounded in the Jewish camp announcing Moshe's ascent.
This Shofar blast signaled to the Jewish People that they should not stray after idolatry as they had the last time Moshe ascended the mountain. Furthermore, Hashem ascends with that Shofar, as it is said (Tehillim 47:6) Alah Elokim bisruah Hashem bikol Shofar, G-d has ascended with the blast; Hashem, with the sound of the shofar.
It is for these reasons, writes the Tur, that we sound the Shofar every year on Rosh Chodesh Elul and throughout the month of Elul, as the Shofar teaches us to repent. It is said (Amos 3:6) Im Yitaka Shofar Ba'ir V'am Lo yecheradu, is the shofar ever sounded in a city and people do not tremble? Additionally, we sound the Shofar to confuse the Satan.
The Tur cites numerous reasons for blowing the Shofar during the month of Elul. The Rambam (Hilchos Teshuvah 3:4) writes that blowing the Shofar on Rosh HaShanah is a Biblical decree. Nonetheless, there is a hint that is contained in the Shofar, and that is that those who are asleep should wake up, search their ways, and repent.
The Tur cites the Pirkei D'Rebbi Eliezer that states that when Moshe ascended the mountain to receive the second Luchos, a Shofar was sounded in the Jewish camp announcing Moshe's ascent.
This Shofar blast signaled to the Jewish People that they should not stray after idolatry as they had the last time Moshe ascended the mountain. Furthermore, Hashem ascends with that Shofar, as it is said (Tehillim 47:6) Alah Elokim bisruah Hashem bikol Shofar, G-d has ascended with the blast; Hashem, with the sound of the shofar.
It is for these reasons, writes the Tur, that we sound the Shofar every year on Rosh Chodesh Elul and throughout the month of Elul, as the Shofar teaches us to repent. It is said (Amos 3:6) Im Yitaka Shofar Ba'ir V'am Lo yecheradu, is the shofar ever sounded in a city and people do not tremble? Additionally, we sound the Shofar to confuse the Satan.
The Tur cites numerous reasons for blowing the Shofar during the month of Elul. The Rambam (Hilchos Teshuvah 3:4) writes that blowing the Shofar on Rosh HaShanah is a Biblical decree. Nonetheless, there is a hint that is contained in the Shofar, and that is that those who are asleep should wake up, search their ways, and repent.