Ki Seitzei 5786 – It’s Gonna be Great

Someone commented to me the other day that this year's Rosh Hashana is of extra concern to them. Due to this year falling on Shabbos, we'll be missing out on Shafor on the first day of Chag. Since second day Yom Tov is entirely Rabbinic in nature, it means that this year we're not performing the Deoraisa, Biblical, Mitzvah of Shofar at all. He pointed out that the previous two times this happened was 2020, the high of the Corona epidemic, and 2023, just before the October 7th tragedy.

Is this real a thing? Was it the lack of first day Shofar which doomed the year?

There is a Gemoro in Rosh Hashana (16b), "Any year without blowing (of the Shafor) at the beginning will have cries at the end of it."  Pretty clear cut.

However, Tosfos immediately comments that this isn't true if the reason for not blowing the Shofar was due to Shabbos. The Ritva goes further in saying that any "Ones", circumstances beyond the congregations control, would exonerate the community from any potential punishment. The Gemoro is only referring to a case where they failed to blow Shofar out of wanton laziness or evil intent.

The Taz goes so far as to ask on Tosfos's position, that an ordinary Ones would carry the punishment, how this could be so? When else do we find an Ones is punishable? The Taz explains that missing Shofar is not what causes the punishment. The punishment was well deserved before Rosh Hashana. If Hashem makes it that an Ones occurs on Rosh Hashana preventing the blowing of the Shofar, that should disturb the rhythm of the community and serve as a wake up call to do Teshuva.

So, according to all the Rishonim who comment directly on the Gemoro (Tosfos, Mordechai, Ran, Rashba, Ritva, Tos Harosh, Meiri) there is absolutely no reason for concern.

However, in the Sefer Minchas Ani (a collection of Drashos on the Parshios by R' Yaakov Ettlinger) in Parshas Ha'azinu he comments that it is no coincidence that both temples were destroyed in years where Rosh Hashana feel on a Shabbos. Also, there was the year when we were forgiven for the sin of the golden calf. This he says shows how it can really swing either way and therefore one must be extra carful to do Teshuva in such a year.

More fundermentally, we need to understand the motivation of Chazal when they decreed that we should not blow Shofar on Shabbos. What were they thinking, taking away such a cherished and clearlt vital Mitzvah for a farfetched concern that someone might come to carry?

The Meshech Chochma (Vayikra 23:24), whose 100th Yortzeit we just marked, explains that in a relationship a person can do what he feels is best for the relationship, or what the other party is concerned about. We a Jews want to blow the Shofar for both the Mitzvah, the inspiration and the spiritual power it has. However, Chazal understood that the risk of someone potentially upsetting Hashem by transgressing Shabbos would upset Hashem far more. Avoiding potential upset of Hashem is far more important than any inspiration or advantage we would gain by blowing the Shofar. Truly Rosh Hashana is not about inspiring ourselves, but subjugating ourselves to a Higher force without preference or reservation.

When filing taxes we always try to get what's best for ourselves. Play by the rules, but always look to the best play, the loophole, optimal result against the authorities. When it comes to our relationship with Hashem, it's not about doing the Mitzvos we like and ignoring the rest, it's about seeing what's Hashem's agenda for us and trying to live up to it.

For any Shofar related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at [email protected].

Good Shabbos.