Shofar Sounds: Comics in Conversation with Community

For printable PDF pages: https://tinyurl.com/ShofarSounds-Pages

For printable PDF spreads: https://tinyurl.com/ShofarSounds-Spreads

Background text [pasted below] is based on Sefer Abudarham’s introduction to the Rosh Hashanah Shofar service

Rabbi Saadia [Gaon] wrote regarding that which the Blessed Creator commanded us to blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, that there are ten matters/ideas/explanations/concepts. The first concept is because the day [i.e. Rosh Hashanah] was the beginning of the Creation from which the Holy One, blessed be G-d, created the world and reigned sovereign over it. And so too do sovereigns do at the beginning of their rule: they blow/blast before them with trumpets and horns to make it be known and to make it be heard in every place that it is the beginning of their rule. And so too we are appointing as sovereign over ourselves the Creator on this day. And so said [King] David, “With trumpets and the voice/sound of the Shofar they raise up before the Sovereign G-d” (Tehillim 98:6). And the second matter/idea is that the day of Rosh Hashanah is the first of the ten days of repentance, and we blow/blast/sound the shofar during this time to declare {/announce?} its start, as one who would warn and say, “All who want to repent should repent, and if not, they will have no benefit {/case/defense?} to call {/invoke?} for themselves.” And so too do the sovereigns do, they warn the nation at the start of their decrees, and [for] anyone who transgresses after the warning, no claim {/case?} for them is considered. And the third concept is to remind us of standing at Mount Sinai, about which it is said, “And the voice/sound of the shofar was very strong” (Shemot 19:16). And we will/should {/ought to?} accept upon ourselves that which our forebears accepted upon themselves with [their declaration], “We will {first} do, and {then} we will hear/listen/understand.” And the fourth concept is to remind us of the words of the prophets that are compared to the blasts of the shofar, as it is said, “And the one who listens to the voice of the shofar and does not take heed, then the sword shall come and take from them, their blood is on their head [i.e. they bear responsibility]... And the one who takes heed, their soul will be saved” (Yechezkel 33:4-5). And the fifth matter is to remind us of the destruction of the Holy Temple and the sound/voice of the war blasts of the enemies, as it is said, “For the voice/sound of the shofar my soul hears the blasts of war” (Yirmiyahu 4:19). And when we hear the sound of the shofar, we’ll request from G-d regarding [REGARDING] the {{building of the*}} Holy Temple {*to be reexamined; what’s a responsible translation for this today?}. And the sixth matter is to remind us of the binding of Isaac who gave over his soul to the Heavens, and so too [would] we give over our souls for the sake of [G-d’s] Holy Name, and our remembrances should rise up before [G-d] for good. And the seventh concept [is] that when hear the blast of the shofar we’ll fear, and we’ll tremble, and we’ll break ourselves down before the Creator, for such is the nature of the shofar, causing {/inspiring?} fear and trembling as it is said, “Should the shofar be sounded in a city and a nation not tremble?” (Amos 3:6). And the eighth idea is to make mention of the great Day of Judgment, and to feel fear about it, about which it is said, “The great day of G-d is close and very hastening…a day of shofar and blasts” (Tzifanyah 1:14 and 1:16). And the ninth matter is to remind us of the [{spiritual/metaphorical?}{again, what’s a responsible way to translate this today?}] gathering of the scattered of Yisrael and to long for it, about which it is said, “And it will be on that day, a great shofar will be blown and those lost in the land of Ashur will come [together {in spirit}]…” (Yishayahu 27:13). And the tenth matter is to remind us of [the era of] the Revival of the Dead, and to inspire belief in it, about which it is said, “All of the inhabitants of the world and the dwellers of the land, like a raised banner will they see, and like a blown/blasted shofar will they hear” (Yishayahu 18:3).

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