Why and When is the Shofar Sounded during Elul?
Why and When is the Shofar Sounded during Elul? Written by Rabbi Herbert J. Mandl, Rabbi Emeritus, Kehilath Israel Synagogue Thursday, August 23 2012 08:36 QUESTION: I understand that at this time of year the shofar is blown every day at weekday morning services. I thought the shofar was just blown on Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur. Can you explain this tradition? ANSWER: There has been a tradition that is at least a thousand years old that the shofar is blown very briefly in daily weekday morning services for the entire month prior to Rosh Hashanah. The purpose of the shofar being blown is to remind people that the High Holy Days are approaching and that one should start thinking about repentance, spiritual repair of our souls and all that this holy season is all about. Obviously we do not blow the shofar on Shabbat — even when it is Rosh Hashanah — so we do not bl