The Phoenix Jewish news., 1955-09-16
By Rabbi Samuel j. Fox
Copyright, 1855,
Jewish Telepraphic Agency, Inc.)


ary to listen to 100 notes from
the ShOfar on ROsh HaShanah?
ANSWER: There are two inter-
esting reasons offered for requir-
ing one to listen to 100 blasts from
the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah. One
of these traces the number back
to the 100 Sobs which the mother
of Sisera gave upon learning of her
sons tragedy. The other traces
the number 100 to the Talmudic
statement that a mother issues
100 groanS upon the birth of a new
baby.
The first of these reasons would
associate the Shofar with cries of
repentance and remind us to re-
pent fully lest we be faced with the
sobs of bearing punishment. The
second of these reasons associates
the Shofar with the creation and
birth of the universe. We are thus
reminded of the formation of life
and the pains with which life is
brought out into this world, so
that we come to appreciate it
better.
QUESTION: Why is the ShOfar
blown at four different times?
ANSWER: Some claim that orr
ginally the notes were blown dur
ing the early morning service but
that a tyrannical decree from
hostile government prohibited this
practice, which was then delayed
until the later prayers. Others
claim that some of the notes are
blown later in the service for
the benefit of women and children
who come later to the synagogue
and miss the earlier notes.
Others claim that these notes are
sounded at four different times be-
cause we seek atonement for four
different types of SINS. Thus it is
claimed that the first set of notes
is blown to have us repent for the
sins which come under the cate
CORY of idol worship. The second
set of notes is blown to have us
repent for the sins which come
under the category of forbidden
notes are blown to have us repent
for the sins which come under
the category of bloodShed. The
fourth set of notes are blown to
have us repent for the sins which
come under the category of the evil
tongue.
QUESTION: Why is the ShOfar
sounded from the platform upon
which the TOrah is read?
ANSWER: Some claim that this
is done to remind us that the Soh-
far was blown at Sinai when the
Torah was given to the Jews.
Others claim that it is done there
to attach great Importance to the
Shofar and to have the entire
congregation look up to its calling.
QUESTION: What is a "Te-
kiah?"
ANSWER: A "Tekiah" is the
plain deep sound of the Shofar
which ends abruptly. 1t is some
! times called "Peshuta" because OF
it's "straightness" or "plainness.
Before and after other sounds of
the Shofar this note is blown. One
of the reasons given for this is
that man is reminded that the
world was created in plain and
even pattern. The breaks and diff
ficulties that come in life are not
the original plan of the world and
will all be Strengthened out in the
end, either by mans repentance
or through the will of the Lord
who will bring man to repentance.
L
QUESTION: What is a "SheV-
Orim?'
| ANSWER: A "Skevorim" is a
combination of three broken notes.
These are said to sound like a
moan or a sigh. This description
is said to remind us of the moan
ing of the sinful soul for an act
of repentance.
QUESTION: What is "Teru-
ah?"
ANSWER: A "Teruah" is a
quick succession of nine short notes
which are said to sound like the
wailing of a person in grief. SUCH
may also be the sound of the
|