Question:
To Rabbi Yosef Chai Siman Tov, shlita“a
This week I had three interesting questions concerning the blowing of the shofar during the month of Elul, according to our Ashkenazic custom::
1. One day, immediately after the prayers, there was an air-raid siren, and I wondered, whether one who did not hear the sound of the shofar fulfills his obligation through this, having instead heard a siren and run to a shelter, and already been aroused to repentance by the siren?
2. Yesterday there was the severe and horrifying terrorist attack at the Ramot Junction, may Hashem have mercy upon us, and it took place during the morning hours, so if someone heard of it after Shacharit, must he still hear the sound of the shofar, or was he certainly already aroused to complete repentance when he heard of this horrifying attack?
3. If a person has no shofar during the month of Elul, is there value in learning an additional passage from a mussar sefer, in place of hearing the sound of the shofar during Elul?
May we always hear good tidings, may you be inscribed and sealed for good, with the blessing of the Kohanim, with love, as one who seeks your prayers
Gamliel HaKohen Rabinowitz
Author of the sefarim “Gam Ani Odecha” and “Pardes Yosef HeChadash” on the Festivals.
Rehovot
In response to the three questions, I hereby answer the honored rabbi, shlita“a
The enactment of Chazal remains in force, and therefore there is no substitute whatsoever for the shofar blasts customarily sounded throughout the month of Elul. However, there is room to say that there is a distinction between the Elul blasts and the blasts of Rosh Hashanah: the Elul blasts are more in the category of a communal obligation, whereas the Rosh Hashanah blasts are an obligation upon every individual. Give to the wise, and he will become wiser still..
With blessings for a good year, and to be inscribed and sealed for good
Yosef Chai Siman Tov“
Author of “Kerem Yosef” and the “אשכול Yosef” series on the four sections of Shulchan Aruch and the Festivals
At the “Birkat Avraham” Advanced Beit Midrash for Dayanut“
This response was translated automatically from Hebrew and has not yet been reviewed by a person. It may therefore contain inaccuracies and should not be considered a definitive reference.
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