What better reason, what further rationale do we need? The Torah clearly states (Numbers 29:1): "In the seventh month, on [day] one of the month, a day of [shofar] blowing shall it be unto you." Indeed, according to Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, the primary intent upon which one should concentrate during the sounding of the shofar is to fulfill the will of the Creator.

That Israel needs no rationale other than "the Torah has told us to blow," is illustrated with a story told about the renowned chassidic Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev:

One year Rabbi Levi Yitzchak spent a long time in search of a man who would be worthy of blowing the shofar in his synagogue. Rosh Hashanah was fast approaching, and though many righteous folk sought the privilege, vying with each other in demonstrating their expertise in the mystical kabbalistic secrets associated with the shofar, none of them were to his taste.

One day a new applicant came along, and Rabbi Levi Yitzchak asked him on what deep mysteries he meditated while he was performing the awesome mitzvah.

"Rabbi," said the newcomer, "I'm only a simple Jew. I don't understand too much about the hidden things of the Torah. But I have four daughters of marriageable age, and when I blow the shofar, this is what I have in mind: 'Master of the universe! Right now I am carrying out Your will. I'm doing Your mitzvah and blowing the shofar. Now supposing You, too, do what I want, and help me marry off my daugters.'"

"My friend," said Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, "you will blow the shofar in my synagogue!"

TEN SYMBOLISMS

Rabbi Saadiah Gaon (10th century) enumerates 10 symbolic meanings alluded to by the mitzvah of the Shofar:

1.

Rosh Hashanah marks the anniversary of the world's creation. As such it is also the day on which God's sovereignty over Creation began. Since it is customary to sound the trumpets at the coronation of a new king, we likewise proclaim His sovereignty over us on this day with the sounding of the shofar. This is in accord with the verse (Psalms 98:6): "With trumpets and shofar sound call out before the King, God."

2.

Rosh Hashanah initiates the Ten Days of Repentance. Just as a king will proclaim a period during which amends can be made before a decree is to be enforced, so does the shofar blast proclaim, "Whosoever wishes to repent -- let him repent now. If not, let him not complain later."

3.

At Mount Sinai the Jews shouted, "We will do and we will listen" (Exodus 24:7), when they accepted the Torah. At that time, the sound of the shofar continually increased and was very great (Exodus 19:19). On Rosh Hashanah the shofar reminds us to renew our commitment to "do" and to "listen."

4.

The shofar reminds us of the admonitions of the prophets and their calls to repentance, as stated in Ezekiel 33:2-9... "He sees the sword coming upon the land, he blows the shofar and warns the people... [If] he heard the sound of the shofar but did not heed the warning; his blood shall be upon himself..."

5.

The shofar reminds us to pray for the rebuilding of the destroyed Holy Temple, of which the prophet (Jeremiah 4:19-20) lamented: "I shall not be silent, for the sound of the shofar have you heard, O my soul, the shout of war. Destruction upon destruction has been proclaimed..."

6.

The shofar, a ram's horn reminds us of the Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22), when Abraham sacrificed a ram in lieu of his son. We similarly offer to sacrifice our lives in sanctification of the Holy Name. Thus, may our remembrances ascend before Him for the good. (According to one opinion in Pesikta Rabbasi 40:6, the Binding of Isaac took place on Rosh Hashanah.)

7.

The sound of the shofar inspires fear and trembling in the hearts of all who hear it, as the prophet (Amos 3:6) asks: "Can a shofar be blown in a city, and the people not tremble?"

8.

The shofar reminds us of the great and awesome Judgment Day of the future, which Zephaniah (1:14-16) describes: "Near is the great day of God... a day of wrath is that day; a day of trouble and oppressiveness; a day of utter desolation; a day of darkness and blackness; a day of clouds and thick fog; a day of shofar and shouting..."

9.

The shofar reminds us of the long anticipated day of the ingathering of the exiles, and arouses an inner yearning in our hearts for that time. "And it will be on that day, He will blow on a great shofar, and they will come -- those who were lost in the land of Assyria, and those cast out in the land of Egypt -- and they will bow to God on the holy mountain, in Jerusalem." (Isaiah 27:13)

10.

The shofar reminds us of the resurrection of the dead and awakens our belief and yearning for that day. For then: "All inhabitants of the world and dwellers of the earth, when he raises a banner upon the mountains, you shall see, and when he blows the shofar, you shall hear." (Isaiah 18:3)