One of the most recognizable Jewish symbols, the shofar is an essential element of Rosh Hashanah. In fact, hearing the blasts of the shofar is the primary biblical commandment of Rosh Hashanah, leading to the holiday’s ancient name: “Yom Teruah” (Day of Blasting). Internalize the sounds of these blasts through discovery and learning with Nethaniel Berman and more.
Nathaniel Berman: The Kabbalistic Shofar
Nathaniel Berman is the Rahel Varnhagen Professor in Brown University’s Religious Studies Department. He is the author of Divine and Demonic in the Poetic Mythology of the Zohar: The ‘Other Side’ of Kabbalah (Brill, 2018).
Nizakher Venikatev: A Reflective Guide for Shofar
The shofar blast called “shevarim,” meaning “broken,” consists of three short blasts. How do the three separate blasts remind you of brokenness? What does the idea of being “broken” mean to you? What does repair of this brokenness look like? Explore these questions and more as we uncover the deeper meanings behind one of the most prominent symbols of the High Holy Days.