Most of us take breathing for granted. It's something that just happens on its own. But as we approach Rosh Hashanah and look back at some of the takeaways from the Jewish year 5780, there has been a focus on breathing.
This year will be remembered as a year of Covid-19 ventilators and masks that inhibit our breathing. This year will be remembered as the year that we were forced to slow down from the rapid pace of our daily lives and just breathe. And with every breath we learned to humble ourselves, to relinquish control, to take each day as it comes, and to live a little more in the present.
For the many who suffered losses, trauma, or disappointments, 5780 will be remembered as a year of challenges and pain. But many will remember this year as one that snapped them out of the trance of daily repetitive living, giving them a chance to learn how to focus on what matters, to get to know their families and themselves a little better, a year that taught them how to truly breathe.
On Rosh Hashanah there is a commandment to blow the shofar, a unique mitzvah in that it is fulfilled by using our breath. The shofar blasts mark the birthday of mankind when God "blew" into man's nostrils his soul, giving him the "breath of life" (Genesis, 2:7). Breath is symbolic for the soul, as the two share a common Hebrew root. The word for soul, "neshama", is almost identical to the Hebrew word “neshima”, breathe. It's no wonder that one can become more aware of the higher levels of their soul by slowing down and focusing on their breathing.
Blowing the shofar teaches us how to discover our soul. The shofar is nothing more than a hollow shell, yet it transforms a fleeting breath into a powerful victory cry. When we make ourselves hollow, letting go of our egos and relinquish the false sense of control, only then can we fully experience the spiritual essence that is inside of us.
Commenting on the verse "Lift up your voice like a shofar" (Isaiah 58:1), one the early Hassidic masters, Rabbi Avraham Chaim of Zlotchov, known as the Orach L’Chaim, writes: When we view ourselves like a shofar that has no voice besides for what is blown into it, in that we have no power outside of what God gives us, we can awaken the Divine love and bring upon ourselves great kindness and compassion.
This past year we learned how to do just that. We saw how quickly our entire life can change, and how the entire world can be thrown into chaos. We saw that most of the external structures that we build are really hollow and powerless, like a shofar. We learned that without breath – without a spiritual connection, without meaningful relationships, without personal growth – our lives can turn very empty very quickly.
As the virus first began to spread, many took note of its name corona, which means crown, pointing out how this virus would wake up the world to realize how dependent we are on the King of Kings to protect us and to keep world order. Jewish tradition teaches us that the shofar is the very instrument that we use to coronate God as King, proclaiming that everything we have is dependent on God Who is constantly breathing life and sustaining us with His Divine energy.
As we look back on a year when we learned how to pay attention to our breath, when we saw the hollowness and fragility of our control, when the word corona became a household word, perhaps we can view the entire year as one great shofar blast, one great reminder of who is really in control.
(19) Melanie, September 21, 2020 6:30 PM
a different type of year
I felt the article made some good points to ponder. This year our schul blew shofar in the parking lot for people who did not feel safe being inside for the service. Many people came, even people who don't normally attend. I had planned to go but a foot injury kept me home, I was also had my elderly in-laws staying with us. A neighbor was kind enough to blow shofar for us and other neighbors outside my home. As I was outside I heard other shofars blowing on other streets. Usually one only hears the shofar in the synagogue on Rosh Hashana, this year, because of social distancing, the shofar seemed to call out to the entire neighborhood. Something I will always remember.
(18) Anonymous, September 18, 2020 10:59 AM
This “ blew” me away!
Well written, inspirational, powerful and comprehensive!
(17) Susan N. Schmidt Nell (Hummel) Schmidt, September 15, 2020 3:31 AM
So true. Yes and Amen!!!
You hit this one right on the nose. Wonderful.
(16) Anonymous, September 12, 2020 12:54 PM
we are reminded of the Mercy Seat....
(15) Maria Dodoc, September 9, 2020 7:51 PM
Thank You!
(14) Yehudit Kanoon, September 9, 2020 5:06 PM
Wow !
This is a very good article, to put it mildly ! There is definitely a lesson to be learned from this corona virus, and I have been looking to find out what I could learn. You told me. The King of Kings is in charge, always. Yasher Koach or Kol haKavod !
(13) Anonymous, September 9, 2020 9:45 AM
welldone
thank you - very nice
(12) Avraham Sonenthal, September 8, 2020 6:24 PM
Should have mentioned Covid precautions
This article should have mentioned the great risk of vlowing shofar indoors because of Covid, and various precautions to take. These include shofar blowing outside, listeners inside, securing a mask over the output end of the shofar, everyone outside with masks and social distance, quarantine the shofar blower for 14 days prior, and negative test for shofar blower in the week before. These are just a few suggestions.
Alan S., September 8, 2020 6:48 PM
With all due respect Mr. Sonenthal..
did it occur to you that R' Buxbaum wrote the article he intended, and (purposely) not a comprehensive article about all there is to know about the shofar in the year of covid? He discussed but one aspect of this topic.
In this new Jewish New Year, may you become more sensitive to finding the good and not only see what was lacking.
(11) Mindy, September 8, 2020 5:25 PM
I thought it was wonderful
This just enlightened me a lot. I actually have 2 shofars & it brought so much more meaning to them.
(10) Alexandra, September 8, 2020 5:24 PM
Great article, todah rabah Shanah tovah u'metukah
(9) Anonymous, September 8, 2020 5:00 PM
Taking life for granted
Having lost my spouse during this pandemic (not as a result of corona) made me think. He had a medical issue but this was totally unexpected. Just as this pandemic was unexpected- so many lives were lost. At this time of the year people need to stop and think about the words they use as well as their actions - Let’s make 5781 a better year, with Gd’s help.
(8) Charyn Frances, September 8, 2020 4:16 PM
Timely and wise
Thank you for your wonderful article. It brings a profound and timely perspective to these current times.
(7) Anonymous, September 8, 2020 3:10 PM
Amazing
This article on Shofar blast and Corona is so illuminating Ito think that we can actually see with our own eyes who Is really in control. HaShem master and King of All life. And to realize that his breath is the only think we have That keeps us alive. Truly inspiring . Thank you
(6) Anonymous, September 8, 2020 2:26 PM
Not able to hear the shofar
If I'm unable to hear the shofar during Rosh Hashanah, because I'm isolated/ out of community, and unable to go out into community because of the health risk factor, will it as if I did not observe RH?
(5) Jacob Villeneuve, September 8, 2020 1:54 PM
WALK THE BREATH AND TALK!
GREAT THOUGHT!
L'SHANA TOVAH, Rabbi,
(4) Sally, September 6, 2020 8:49 AM
Fantastic parrallel!
I love the parallel between the shofar, the breath, Corona, crowning Hashem... etc. A teaching that is beautifully woven together. Kol Hakavod!
(3) Rachel Shillingford, September 4, 2020 1:28 PM
Wow
thank you for this amazing article
(2) Rachel, September 3, 2020 10:47 PM
Breath
I had never heard the explanation of the spiritual connection between breath and shofar. How beautiful! Unless you have a medical condition, a mask should not impede breathing. Check with your physician for a recommendation if you have an issue with off the shelf masks.
(1) Yosef Travis Collins, September 3, 2020 10:28 PM
BH
אָמֵן