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 left open in the bedroom of his ill wife. He rushed downstairs to close the window. After securing it, he turned to check on his wife, only to discover that her bed was empty. At that moment, Rabbi Soloveitchik was struck by a heart-wrenching realization: his beloved wife had already passed away. This realization, which he described as a moment of crisis awareness, mirrors the effect of the shofar.
It is a moment when the protective layers we use to shield ourselves from confronting painful truths are stripped away, forcing us to face what needs to change or be acknowledged. It is an awakening to the core realities of our lives, confronting truths we often try to ignore.
In a similar vein, Oct. 7 of last year marked a profound and shocking moment for many within the Jewish community. While we have always been aware of antisemitism, the extent of the hostility and hatred revealed following the terror attack was a stark and painful awakening. The raw vitriol against Jews, simply for walking the streets or living their lives, has been alarming and disheartening. Although we knew some harbored animosity toward us, the recent escalation in overt hostility has been a rude and shocking wake-up call.
The current climate of hatred against Jews is beyond reason and sensibility. It is heartbreaking to witness the level of vitriol that has surfaced globally. While we are aware of many supporters who stand with us, it often feels as though their support is expressed quietly and privately. For example, outside the synagogue where I serve as rabbi, we have posted signs of Israeli hostages. Sadly, many individuals have passed by, shouting insults and expressing hatred toward Israel and the Jewish people.
Some have even gone as far as to tear down these signs and discard them in the street. Yet, amid this hostility, there are moments of hope. Occasionally, a kind-hearted individual will approach, offering quiet words of support and expressing their prayers for the hostages. One person even picked up a sign that had been discarded and helped restore it to its place.
These moments of support are encouraging but also raise questions about why more people do not publicly stand against the tide of hatred. Perhaps the loudest voices dominate the conversation, and those who support us might fear the repercussions of speaking out. This situation highlights a critical issue: the need for more people to bravely voice their opposition to hatred.
We need a chorus of support that drowns out the cacophony of bigotry and intolerance. The din of love and solidarity must overpower the din of hate. If more supporters were to speak up, their voices could challenge and diminish the unacceptable layers of intolerance, misinformation, and baseless hatred that currently pervade our society.
Ultimately, a world free from such hatred, especially the antisemitism that remains one of the last acceptable prejudices, would be a beautiful place. The sound of such a world would be one of harmony and mutual respect, replacing the discord of hatred with the melody of unity. It is through this collective effort, resonating like the shofar’s call, that we can aspire to create a more just and compassionate world for all.
Rabbi Benny Berlin is the rabbi of BACH Jewish Center located in Long Beach, New York.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Opinion: Rosh Hashana 2024: We must wake up to the call of the ram’s horn
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