Hearing the Shofar without the Blower's Knowledge
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Question
My father is an elderly man and finds it difficult to reach the synagogue on Rosh Hashanah. Can he fulfill the obligation of hearing the shofar by listening to the blasts from the synagogue near his home?
Answer
Shalom Rav
To fulfill the obligation of hearing the shofar, the listener must intend to fulfill the obligation, and the blower must intend to discharge the listener's obligation. Therefore, if a person hears the shofar from one of the neighbors who intends to discharge someone else's obligation, the listener does not fulfill it, as the blower did not intend to discharge his obligation. However, if he hears it from the synagogue, since the blower intends to discharge the obligation of all who hear, there is no need for him to know that someone is listening from home, and all listeners fulfill the obligation.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, Siman 589, Sif 9, Mishnah Berurah, Sif Katan 17