Investing In The Shofar
Rosh Hashana 5770
Welcome to the day we have been looking forward to...for an entire month. If you've been in shul during the month of Elul (August 1 - September 29) you had the
opportunity to listen to the blowing of the Shofar during the morning services. The common idea is that we listen to the blasts so that they will, like an alarm clock, wake us from our slumber. Our "slumber" is defined as our inattention to the responsibilities. Being responsible for our actions as they relate to ourselves, our community and to G-d.
Yitzi Schwarzbaum is learning in Israel. Before he went I asked him to provide me with a Divar Torah each week. I, in turn, promised that I would include his thoughts on our Blog and, from time to time in the Shabbat News piece we do each week. This week I'm doing both. This is from my conversation with him Friday morning following minyan.
Why do we blow the shofar during the month and on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? We do this to remind G-d of the actions of Abraham, our Father. You see, when G-d commanded Abraham to take Issac and slaughter his beloved son as a sacrifice Abraham never asked, "Why?" 'Why, G-d would you ask me to do such a thing?" He never asked, even though he had every right, he didn't question G-d.
So, we are told that we blow the shofar to remind G-d of this loyalty and, in a way, we are reminding Him to not ask questions of us. Why? Why would we not want G-d to ask us questions about our life, our decisions our relationships? Why would we not want G-d to ask us of our responsibility to come to shul, to be part of the minyan to worship and lift up His name on a daily basis? Why?
The question is answered by a question, "What would we say?" What excuses would we give? What rational would we offer that make's our inattention to the commandments sound? What?
And so we blow the Shofar, reminding G-d that at one time, in the face of being asked to do the unthinkable...Abraham, our Father said nothing...he just did.
Later today Rabbi Schwarzbaum will ask you about your investments...might I add that we should also be concerned with the sound of the Shofar...did you hear the call?
May each of you be inscribed into the Book of Life with a healthy, happy, prosperous and dedicated year. For you, your parents, grand-parents, children, spouse, friends and extended family and for all of Kol Israel. L'Shana Tova!
See you in shul!
Service Times - All times are Central for Des Moines, Iowa
- Friday Evening Services - 6:45PM
- Candle Lighting - 7:00PM
- Sundown - 7:18PM
- Shabbat Morning Services - 8:30AM
- Sunday Morning Services - 8:30AM
- Yom Tov Ends - Sunday - 8:00PM