Rosh Hashanah - The Sound of the Shofar

What is the meaning of the Shofar and why do we blow it?

There are a number of answers given like a reminder to repent, to coronate and re-establish G-d as king and maybe even a reminder to him to remember his people as they were from their youth, when he chose them to be his light onto the world.

It's a good idea to actually think about what the sound of the Shofar could mean for me. We go through the ritual each year. We prepare, we practice, we anticipate and then it happens, we hear the Shofar multiple times through the holiday and then it's over and another day comes and life moves on. 

If we don't make something of it, it will likely flow by like another day. So how can we enrich the experience and anchor it so that we can use it to grow and leap forward.

Perhaps this year when it comes time to hear the Shofar, take a few moments to stop and think, if I could use this opportunity right now for anything I want. What would it be. You could waste the moment and think of something totally benign and everything will just go on as usual and no one will know otherwise. Or, you could take this opportunity to really consider, where am I in my life, how am I different now to who or how I was last year this time. Am I happy with the trajectory of my life as it is? Has it moved forward in any way that I can feel good about the passage of time or did I basically just make it through? 

Maybe now is a good time to think about some of the good things that have happened over the past 12 months in my life that I can be grateful for. We often think in a tunnel vision kind of way in relation to our own growth but don't include lots of things going on around us that we have impacted in some way which has helped the wider picture develop over time so it's important to consider what in my bigger picture has changed including some of the small things in life that society doesn't  give much credit to. 

The next thing to think about amongst all these rushing thoughts is regardless of last year's phase in the journey of life, what could be some real, achievable goals that I’d like to work towards between now and next year? What would an ideal me look like and how do I work towards reaching that Ideal me? That could be being a better parent, working on my social life, increasing my spiritual self, reaching out more to others. Learning new skills or taking care of some of the commitments I started last year but did not complete. Pick one or 2 things to focus your energy on, things that you will feel good about achieving and investing energy into. 

Let the sound of the Shofar inspire you to work on your business of life and not only get consumed inside the business of life. See the bigger picture and set some achievable goals to reach and just do it! 

Shana Tova Umetukah!

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About the author:

Elimelech Levy is a Rabbi and Coach in Sydney Australia where he runs Chabad Youth NSW, an organisation that's focused on Providing Jewish enrichment that's educational, fun, social ​& affordable. Elimelech received his MBA from Macquarie University in 2021 then chose to use his studies and experience to become a Results Coach and member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF)  helping people take control of their lives through establishing goals and working towards them. In 2023, Elimelech established the Knei Lecha Chover program focused on matching Rabbis around the world and providing foundational tools for them to coach each other regularly avoiding significant fees needed for professional coaching sessions.

Elimelech can be reached via his website elilevy.com.au