The biblical name of Rosh HaShanah is Yom Teruah - Day of the [shofar] blast. We begin blowing the shofar at the beginning of the month of Elul, as we are called to attention, to turn and return to our best selves. The shofar denotes Divine Presence, the promise of redemption, celebration, even a call to arms. The services of the High Holy Days call to many in a way that the weekly and daily services of the rest of the year do not. Shofarot brings our attention to the call.
Shabbat shalom
Shofarot
You came here today for a reason
No - you don’t have to tell me
You don’t even have to tell yourself
(Although you may want to ask yourself)
You heard a call
Maybe in the form of a blast
That enfolded you in its waveform
Maybe in the form of a still, small voice,
That can hardly be called a voice at all
Does it call you to something?
Away?
No - you don’t have to tell me
or yourself
But you may want to ask