Jewish Holiday Reflections

Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur: Shofar Blowing

In the Torah portion we read that we are to observe a sacred occasion that “shall be a day of shofar-sounding for you.” We all know the momentous stirring that somehow, in a wordless way, opens something deep inside us as soon as we hear the sound of the shofar. It is as if, without any words, we know that we are called to some great personal self-reflection in the midst of community. And we all know that we are called to a self-reflection that hopes for change.

There really is nothing like the literal blast of the shofar. But, like all the ways in which our tradition also invites us to understand the metaphors in Jewish life, we also experience other “shofar-sounds” that heighten our attention, stimulate our thoughts, and bring us to a place of great tenderness.

How many times when we are ill do we find ourselves reflecting on our lives in a way we did not when we were well? And how well we know that when we are ill, our reflections take on a different cast. Somehow the vulnerability of illness brings its own lens with which we see the world and ourselves. We may suddenly find ourselves praying in a different way. We may even find ourselves praying for the first time. We find ourselves speaking differently, feeling differently, or even acting differently. All because illness has sounded a kind of shofar-sounding to pay attention differently.

What are the ways in which the shofar’s sound has come into your life? And what are the ways in which the reflection it stimulated brought you to a place of deeper relationship, broader awareness, or determined action?

There are many ways in which one can understand the spiritual experience in illness. One way is to consider that illness itself is not necessarily spiritual, rather how one reacts to illness can be. In this way, our acts of self-reflection – something that belongs to us all no matter our station in life -- can become an important daily discipline which continues to move us more deeply into our God-created selves, and in relationship to others around us.

The shofar may sound literally or metaphorically, taking us to a place of tenderness - but what we do once we get there is the stuff of spiritual life.


© Bay Area Jewish Healing Center, Rabbi Eric Weiss

This Torah Reflection was written by Rabbi Eric Weiss, Executive Director of the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center. It is brought to you by the United Jewish Federation of San Diego and the Jewish Healing Center, a program of Jewish Family Service.

This article is provided to you by the Twin Cities Jewish Healing Program. Through the wisdom and traditions of Judaism, The Twin Cities Jewish Healing Program offers comfort, hope and strength to people experiencing loss, life challenges, illness, dying and grief. For information about our resources and volunteer visitors, please call 952-542-4840.