Ep. 43 The Power of the Shofar

The Thinking Jew Podcast

The only mitzvah unique to Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is the obligation to hear the Shofar blasts. These Shofar blasts are so powerful that they actually get God to move from his throne of judgement to his throne of mercy.

What is so special about the Shofar? How does it produce this heavenly transformation of Godly perspective? And, why is it the only mitzvah of Rosh Hashana?

Join me as we go very deep into different Kabbalistic understandings of what judgement really is, what mercy really is and what God's throne really represents. Through all of this we'll build a clear understanding of the amazing power of the Shofar.

Happy Listening!

Rabbi Moshe

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Sources:

Number 29:1, Torah calls Rosh Hashana "Yom Teruah" - https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.29.1

Medrish Vayikra Rabah 29:10, source of God moving from throne of judgement to throne of mercy - https://www.sefaria.org/Vayikra_Rabbah.29.10?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Genesis 22:13, Abraham sees the ram stuck - https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.22.13?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Inner Space by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan pg. 26, Kabbalistic explanation of G-d's throne - not available online

Rashi Genesis 2:1, source that din (judgement) is good and mercy is a partner to support the system - https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Genesis.1.1.3?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=he

Ecclesiastes 7:20, All men sin - https://www.sefaria.org/Ecclesiastes.7.20?lang=bi

Talmud Bavli, Baba Kama 50a, God doesn't ignore sins - https://www.sefaria.org/Bava_Kamma.50a.23?lang=bi

Shared letters and understanding between Racheim (mercy) and Machar (tomorrow) - heard from my Rebbi, Rabbi Eli Margulies shlit"a

Talmud Bavli, Rosh Hashana 34b, the Shofar carries the prayers up to heaven - https://www.sefaria.org/Rosh_Hashanah.34b.7?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Shem Mishmuel, Rosh Hashana, 8, depth of Shofar is releasing the inner breath/life source - https://www.sefaria.org/Shem_MiShmuel%2C_Rosh_Hashanah.8.12?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Genesis 2:7, God blew life into Adam - https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.2.7?lang=bi&aliyot=0

Nefesh Hachaim, Part I, Section 15, one who blows, blows from within himself as applied to God and Adam - https://www.sefaria.org/Nefesh_HaChayim%2C_Gate_I.15.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en