Kashrus of shophar-blowing

The month of Elul

Question

This morning in the synagogue there wasn’t anyone who knew how to blow the shophar. In the end, some who didn’t know how to do it right, blew it quite scrappily. The question is, did we fulfill our obligations to hear the shophar? Thank you

Answer

The shophar blowing that is done in synagogues in the month of Elul is not an obligation. It’s a custom that the Jews traditionally perform in order to awaken their hearts and prepare themselves to repent before the day of judgement. Therefore, there is no obligation that the blowing be kosher like on Rosh Hashana.

Have a good and blessed year

Source

Shulchan Oruch, part Orach Chaim, ch. 581, §1, the Remo; Ritvo commentary to tractate Rosh Hashana, folio 26

Comments

Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)

Please sign up or log in to submit your comment

Become our partners in supporting and spreading the Torah. Help us answer more questions faster and better.