                                                           B"sd

                      A Voice from Hebron
                     by Gary M. Cooperberg
                     The Call of the Shofar
                 Reminds us of G-d's Peace Plan
                       September 23, 1998
                         3 Tishre 5759
                                
     During the month of Elul I had the honor of sounding the shofar for my vatiken minyan at
the cave of Machpelah in the mornings at the end of our prayers.  I never practice, as sounding
the shofar is not supposed to be a musical performance.  Yet, as I simply lifted the ram's horn to
my lips the ancient Jewish alarm always sounded sweet and pure.

     On Rosh HaShannah I have been sounding the shofar for my minyan for about ten years
now.  People ask if I practice, and I always tell them that no amount of practice will guarantee
success.  Only humility, a contrite heart, and sincere supplication on the part of all who come to
pray will make the notes clear.  

     There are three sets of sounding the shofar.  The first, Malchiot; the second, Zichronot,
and finally Shofarot.  All three combine to set the tone for prayer, repentance and redemption. 

      Malchiot are to cause us to contemplate on the Kingdom of G-d.  The Supreme King of
Kings is sitting upon his throne and judging the world.  This thought should be enough to move
us to fear Him and repent of our wayward behavior.

     Zichronot cause us to remember the binding of Isaac as our Father, Abraham proved his
obedience to G-d to be even greater than his overwhelming love for his only son.  This should
remind us how hard we must strive to fulfill the Will of our Creator.  We are not called upon to
make such sacrifices.  Abraham was all alone.  We are an entire people with an eternal legacy.  It
is much easier for us to obey G-d's Will, as our Fathers tread the path for us and all we need do is
follow that path.

     And, Shofarot come to bring us hope for impending redemption.  The Great Shofar will
soon be sounded heralding the crowning of King Messiah ben David who will complete the
process of the ingathering of the exiles and set up the Kingdom of Torah in the Land of Israel
ushering in the complete process of redemption in which all the world will, through His People,
Israel,  recognize the Living G-d of Israel as the One and only Creator of the Universe to whom
homage must be paid. 

     Sounding the shofar on Rosh HaShannah is a tremendous responsibility.  The mitzvah to
listen to the sound of the shofar for the entire congregation is dependent upon one person.  I
raised my eyes toward heaven and silently prayed to be worthy of this task.  As I placed the horn
against my lips all that came out was a weak squeak.  I tried again and this time a loud and pure
tekiah was sounded.  I had to sound one hundred notes.  It was not a particularly difficult thing to
do, but I had trouble.  It was as if something was trying to interfere with the sounds.  I did battle
with the hinderer and refused to accept defeat.  While some of the notes were not very clear, most
of them came out sharp and clear.  Every year, at the end of the sounding, I would give the final
Tekiah Gedolah a very long blast.  This year I could not do it.  I sounded all of the notes, but it
was a difficult struggle which found me totally exhausted and strained.

     It seems to me that this is symbolic of the times in which we live.  The hinderer is working
overtime to discourage us, just as we are approaching the climax of redemption.  If we look at
things logically it is easy and very tempting just to give up.  But we Jews cannot look at things
logically.  Our very existence defies logic.  Yet where is our hope?  We have a government which
is negotiating away our very existence.  Our enemies are growing in strength and number.  Look
as we may we find no genuine Jewish leadership.  This is a recipe for disaster and destruction,
certainly not redemption.

     The mitzvah of the Shofar comes to rouse us out of our lethargy and sense of defeatism. 
There is a King of the Universe who rules over everything.  He alone decides what will be.  His
Will has been revealed to us in His Torah.  There is no power on earth that can change His Plan
for Mankind.   He made an irrevocable covenant with our Fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  No
"peace plan" can nullify or replace that covenant.  His Promise will stand.  If we do not have the
strength to pull ourselves out of the muck, then He will send His Prophet, Eliyahu, to anoint a
King to take the reigns and bring us together under G-d's rule.

     All of these thoughts should be running through our minds as we hear the blasts of the
ancient trumpet.  It is a call to all of us to rise up to our mission as G-d's Chosen and make
ourselves worthy to be His vessel with which to redeem Mankind.   Let us focus upon these lofty
thoughts as we approach the Awesome Day of Judgment.  May we all be worthy of facing the
New Year with renewed strength to dedicate ourselves to fulfilling His Will.  May the purity of
our prayers and fasting lead us into a joyous celebration of Chag Succot, which will see the fallen
Succah of David raised, never to fall again.  


