The Sound of the Shofar

The sound of the Shofar

My first Rosh Hashana in the Old City was a special experience that will not soon be forgotten. First of all, now while I know this will sound like Kefira to some, I did go to hear the Shofar on the first day of Rosh Hashana. I know what you are thinking “BUT IT WAS SHABBAT”! Yes and the Halacha in accordance with the ruling of Rebbe Yochanan Ben Zaki that we blow the shofar in front of the beit din on Shabbat and that is why over 100 years ago Rabbi Shlezinger convened a beit din and blew shofar on Shabbat. While I davened at the Yeshivt Orayta minyan I slipped out for about 20 minutes to walk to the tochechi Yerushalayim shul located in the old city about 4-5 minute walk from the Yeshiva.

Rav Yisrael Ariel who is a member of the renewing Sanhedrin was present as were 5 other musmachim, the other 17 members of the minyan brought the total number to 23, so the musmachim of the Sanhedrin included us 17 non musmachim to make a beit din of 23. Then we all took a vote and it was decided by a vote of 23-0 to blow the shofar. I found it kind of strange that a complete am haaretz like myself, was sitting on a beit din with Rav Ariel and other big talmidei chachamim. Also had I not specifically gone to hear the shofar it may not have happened.

The rest of Yom Tov was very busy, the other 3 madrichim and I were very busy preparing for, serving and clearing up after the meals, but it was ok. I spent a couple hours on the second day of Rosh Hashana blowing shofar for random groups of “secular” Israelis visiting the old city, I was shocked at how many did not hear the shofar, so at least I was able to be of some help.