Halacha for Sunday 21 Elul 5781 August 29 2021

Blowing the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah

  מרן זצ"ל בעצרת תשובה בעיר בת ים

It is a positive Torah commandment to hear the Shofar blasts on the day of Rosh Hashanah, as the verse states, “It shall be a day of [Shofar] blasts for you.” One may not speak between the various sets of Shofar blasts and certainly not during the blasts themselves. The Poskim disagree regarding whether or not it is permissible to recite the order of confession (which is printed in most Rosh Hashanah prayer books). Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l rules that one may not recite this confessional prayer between the sets of the Shofar blasts, for this causes one to enter the realm of a blessing in vain and it becomes doubtful whether or not one must recite the blessing on the Shofar blasts again; even if one has customarily recited this confessional prayer in the past, one must discontinue this custom at once. Nevertheless, if one would like to read this confessional prayer with one’s eyes only and ponder it in one’s heart, this is indeed permissible between the sets of blasts; however, during the time the Shofar blasts are actually being sounded, one must sit silently and listen carefully to the Shofar blasts.

Women are exempt from hearing the Shofar blasts since this is positive, time-bound Mitzvah and women are exempt from such Mitzvot as we have discussed on several occasions. Nevertheless, it is customary that women act stringently and come to the synagogue to hear the Shofar blasts. A woman did not have the opportunity to come to the synagogue on the morning of Rosh Hashanah may indeed hear the Shofar blasts at home (or later on in the synagogue during the afternoon hours of Rosh Hashanah, as has become the prevalent custom in many synagogues). When one blows the Shofar for women, one may not recite the “Lishmo’a Kol Shofar” blessing since women are exempt from such positive, time-bound Mitzvot. There are some Ashkenazi women who customarily recite the blessing on the Shofar by themselves and they indeed have on whom to rely. Nonetheless, the one blowing the Shofar should not recite a blessing when blowing for women, even according to this opinion.

The Mitzvah of hearing Shofar blasts may be fulfilled throughout the entire day of Rosh Hashanah, beginning from sunrise until sunset. Therefore, if one would like to blow the Shofar for women, one may do so all day, until sunset.

We have a great rule that “Mitzvot require intention,” as we have discussed in a special Halacha. Thus, before hearing the Shofar blasts on Rosh Hashanah, one must pay attention and have in mind to fulfill the positive Torah commandment of hearing the Shofar blasts when hearing the sound of the Shofar.

8 Halachot Most Popular

Parashat Ki Tetze

Gathered from the teachings of Maran Rebbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztzvk”l (from the years 5744-5772) (written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) Ellul is the Time to Engage in Battle Against the Yetzer Hara, ......

Read Halacha

Eating and Washing Oneself on Yom Kippur

Regarding the custom of Kapparot, we have discussed in the past that this custom may be fulfilled through money. A bill is taken ($10, $20, etc.) and circled around the head of the atoned party three times, and the following text is recited: “This money is in your stead, your substitute, and y......

Read Halacha

Eating Cake on Shabbat Morning

Today's Halacha is dedicated for the merit and protection of All Our Dear Soldiers May Hashem give them strength and courage to vanquish our enemies and may they return home safe and sound amid health and joy. May Hashem protect all the captives and have mercy upon them so that no harm befalls......

Read Halacha

The Laws of Blood Found in Eggs

Blood in Eggs Blood found in eggs is forbidden for consumption, for this blood indicates the beginning of the embryotic development of the chick and this chick has the halachic status of “fowl” whose blood is forbidden for consumption by Torah law; thus, the opinion of the Rosh and Tosa......

Read Halacha


 The “Shehecheyanu” Blessing

Our Sages teach us (Eruvin 40b) that one should recite the “Shehecheyanu” blessing upon seeing a new fruit that renews once a year. Even if one sees this fruit in the hands of another person or on the tree, one should recite the “Shehecheyanu” blessing. Nevertheless, the P......

Read Halacha

Parashat Terumah

From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds UK) The Difference Between Moshe and Betzalel [Understanding Why Betzalel Was Able to Make the Menorah, Whilst Moshe Couldn’t] This Sh......

Read Halacha

The Holiday of Sukkot

The Gemara (Sukkah 11b) explains that the Mitzvah of Sukkah is in commemoration of the clouds of glory that surrounded our ancestors when they left Egypt. The Gemara (Ta’anit 9a) states: “Three great leaders arose for the Jewish nation: Moshe, Aharon, and Miriam. Hashem gave the Jewis......

Read Halacha

So that We May Refrain from the Injustice of Our Hands

During the Ne’ilah prayer, the prayer that culminates all the Days of Awe recited towards the conclusion of Yom Kippur, we state: “And You, Hashem our G-d, have given us this Yom Kippur etc. for pardon, forgiveness, and atonement so that we may refrain from the injustice of our hands and......

Read Halacha