

Knocking on the Gates of Mercy: Spiritual Preparation to Hear the Shofar
The piyut Et Sha’arei Ratzon (“It is Time for the Gates of Favor to Open”) is recited in all Sephardic communities right before the sounding of the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah. Written in the 12th century by Rabbi Yehudah ben Shmuel ibn Abbas, the poem elaborates on the story of the Binding of Isaac and asks God to remember us with favor and mercy at the time of teshuvah.
In preparation to hearing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, join Rabbi Roly Matalon and Jonathan Silver, BJ’s ba’al toke’a (shofar blower), to learn, reflect on, sing, and experience this powerful piyut.