As the sun sets on Oct. 2, Jews around the world will begin the celebration of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. This significant holiday, which primarily unfolds in synagogues through prayer services rich with symbolism, features a distinctive and powerful ritual: the sounding of the shofar, a ram’s horn. The shofar’s call, piercing and urgent, serves as one of the holiday’s most profound symbols.

The shofar’s blast is more than a mere noise; it is a call to action. According to our sages, its purpose is to awaken us from spiritual slumber, urging us to reflect on our actions and embark on journeys of personal and communal growth. It is a moment to examine our relationships with others and with G-d, to address our shortcomings and seek improvement. The shofar’s cry is meant to jolt us into confronting our deepest truths and realities.

One of the great sages of the previous generation, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (1903-1993), once recounted a deeply personal experience that encapsulates this kind of profound awakening. One night, he woke up with a sudden concern that a window had been........

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