Rabbi Howard Morrison

One of the watchwords of Judaism is Shma -Listen! A number of times per day we recite "Hear O Israel the Lord our God the Lord is one." 

On Rosh Hashanah, the blessing preceding the Shofar blasts contains the words, "Lishmoa kol Shofar-to hear the sounds of the Shofar."

Will we hear the Tekiah - the strong stable blast?

Will we hear the Shevarim - the broken blasts?

Will we hear the Teruah - the march to battle blasts?

Will we hear the Tekiah Gedolah - the long blast which yearns for a better existence?

Will we transfer these sounds to hearing the plight of our neighbor, who may feel broken? who may need help to confront his/her challenges? who may need help in seeing a better world?

Everything starts with listening to each other; hearing each other.

Everything starts with listening to and hearing the sounds of the Shofar next week.

Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova,

Rabbi Howard Morrison