You are probably wondering what the meaning of the shofar is.

The shofar is a ram’s horn, which, when blown like a musical instrument, is reminiscent of human vocal expression. It is supposed to awaken us to do the work of self-evaluation and introspection regarding the world and our place in it during the month before Rosh Hashanah, and also integral to the High Holidays – Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services – when in addition to our introspection, G-d himself is judging our efforts and making decisions about the coming year.

“Who will live and who will die? Who will be raised and who will be brought down and so on….”

Words of the Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur prayer service riffed on by Leonard Cohen, singer and songwriter.

Getting a sound out of that shofar is more complicated than it looks. (Yes, I tried and failed). But here are some examples of people who succeeded.

The most extended shofar blast.

And a new initiative, the shofar flash mob, groups who got together at different places worldwide to blow shofar together.

And last but not least, here is an adorable video of my nieces and nephew wishing you all a happy Rosh Hashanah. Shana Tova!

Leonard Cohen – Who By Fire (Live In London) (Official Video) Lyrics begin at 1:52 Min.

Lyrics:

And who by fire?
Who by water?
Who in the sunshine?
Who in the night time?
Who by high ordeal?
Who by common trial?
Who in your merry merry month of May?
Who by very slow decay?
And who shall I say is calling?

And who in her lonely slip?
Who by barbiturate?
Who in these realms of love?
Who by something blunt?
Who by avalanche?
Who by powder?
Who for his greed? Who for his hunger?
And who shall I say is calling?

And who by brave assent?
Who by accident?
Who in solitude?
Who in this mirror?
Who by his lady’s command?
Who by his own hand? Who in mortal chains?
Who in power?
And who shall I say is calling?
And who by fire?
Who by water?
Who in the sunshine?
Who in the night time?
Who by high ordeal?
Who by common trial?
Who in your merry merry month of May?
Who by very slow decay?
And who shall I say is calling?