Post by Mark on Sept 5, 2009 18:47:59 GMT -8
Traditionally, the Shofar (ram’s horn) is blasted 100 times on Rosh Hashanah. Most of us are just excited about getting something positive to come out of the end of the thing… I mean, something that doesn’t sound like a large herd animal in hard labor, or a cocaine addict blowing his nose into a microphone. We put our lips to the aperture and the sound comes out, we have trouble getting past simply thinking, "cool!" Yet, there is nothing so simple about Hebrew. With each blast of the Shofar, a story is unfolding. The Most High God is calling to us to understand and commit ourselves to the Most Holy Days.
There are three distinct blasts that come from the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah. We hear the "tah-kiah", the "shava-reem" and the "Tah-roo-ah".
The "tah-kiah" is a succession of short (staccato) blasts in succession. It is similar to the idea of clapping one’s hands but with an emphasis on the force of impact: by extension the idea of coming under bondage.
The "shava-reem" are longer bursts. The word, in it’s simplest terms means bursts; but in the idea of breaking what is large into smaller pieces. Depending upon the context, it may mean to break into smaller pieces so as to create more (such as birth or mitosis) or it may mean to break into smaller pieces in order to destroy.
The "tah-roo-ah" is the most well known of the blasts of the Shofar. It is one long continuous blast. It is a call to battle or a call of jubilation. It is a declaration that the way is open and we are called in singularity to participate as the people of God.
Rosh Hashanah is called the beginning of beginnings. It is the Head of the year. All through the month of Elul we have spent our time in reflection of what the year that is passing has been, At Rosh Hashanah we put it all behind us; but not in presumption, understanding that who we have been carries a powerful influence on what we are yet to become.
We sound the "tah-kiah" first. It’s tone resembles and reminds of women wailing in traditional Middle Eastern fashion. We are confronted with the
of God and we are found guilty: placed under the bondage of knowing that we are utterly guilty before Him.We sound the "shava-reem" and acknowledge that we are broken. Yet, our brokenness is not to our demise; but refines us as we are reborn, seeking Him in newness of joy. We divide our lives between what is worthless and what is wholesome, turning in full repentance toward Him.
The "tah-roo-ah" calls us to Him.
This process doesn’t come to us immediately. It is not like flipping a switch and making everything all better. It takes time. This is why the blasts of the Shofar are not a matter of three toots and you’re done. It takes 100 blasts, repeating the process over and over as allow ourselves to be refined, molded more and more into the image of our Lord.
Quiet yourself before the sound of the Shofar. Listen to it; but not just to the sound but to what the sound is saying. It is calling you to Adonai.
