6 Tishri 5779 – Vayelech



What an amazing Rosh Hashana we celebrated together this past week. I was inspired to see so many people in Shule and the ruach in both the main and second Shule’s were truly uplifting. As you can imagine, in preparing all the sermons I have delved into much material and there is only a certain amount you can give over in each service. I therefore share with you now an incredible thought about the Shofar that I hope you can think about over the upcoming days till Yom Kippur. It inspired me, so I hope it inspires you too.

Why do we blow shofar on Rosh Hashanah? Isn’t it a strange ritual? And why do we coronate G-d via the shofar? Is there no other way to declare G-d king then by blowing a horn?

So the Maggid of Mezritch (1704-1772) says this. The shofar is just the tool through which my breath is expressed. If I were not to blow into the shofar, no sound would emerge. When I blow air into it, the shofar produces a sound.

This is the story of life. We are the shofar. G-d is the blower. On the first Rosh Hashanah of history, G-d created Adam and Eve. How? “He blew into his nostrils a breath, a soul, of life.” That blowing continues. Every word we say, every thought we have, is really Divine energy coming out through us. We are the shofar that facilitates and expresses G-d’s energy.

What does it mean to coronate G-d? It means to recognise that you are a shofar—every moment, every second of life. Every breath you take, every move you make, every word you create, is an expression of G-d. You are always one with G-d. All of your life is an expression of Divine energy and light. And at every moment, you can allow yourself to become cognisant that you are a shofar: G-d speaks and thinks through you.

The choice to coronate G-d is not choice between if we are a shofar or not; it is a choice if we will be cognisant that we are a shofar.

And this is the secret key to serenity. When at every moment of your life you see yourself as G-d’s shofar. He is just blowing through you. So let go and let yourself just be His shofar.

Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom and let’s see you all back in Shule this weekend!

Rabbi Yossi and Chana Raizel Friedman




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