avanot for Rosh Hashana

The Musaf Amidah is the traditional prayer that accompanies the sounding of the shofar on Rosh Hashana. The Musaf is divided into three sections: Malchuyot (which means “Kingship”), Zichronot (which are “remembrances”), and Shofarot (“shofar blasts”). The Malchuyot section focuses on the power of G-d. In this section we are called to consider the majesty and miracle of Creation. Zichronot focuses on our historical relationship to G-d; we are asked to remember our ancestors and endeavour to live a life that honours their commitments and devotions.  The third section, Shofarot is a call to action, and the synthesis of the first two sections – it connects us to the first two ideas by waking us up towards renewal and recommitment – to "Respond" and "Return". At the conclusion of each section we sound the shofar.

Within each section, the inherent themes revolve around recognizing the past, staying connected to the present, and looking to the future. We are encouraged to do now what we can, based upon our knowledge of past experiences, in order to reach the goals of the future.

The concept of these brochas is especially poignant for me. Fifteen years ago this month, my father’s brother Phil was dying of brain cancer in Edmonton. A couple of days prior to Rosh Hashana he was unconscious and lingering close to death - and my 96 year-old grandmother, who never expected to outlive either of her children, wanted him to feel he had permission to let go. So my father arranged for the Rabbi and the shofar-blower of our shul to come to the hospital. A full sounding of the shofar was carried out next to my uncle’s bed in his hospital room, and he passed away peacefully the next morning. Now when I hear the blowing of the shofar at Rosh Hashana, I am awed by the wonderment of the cycle of life; I remember my uncle, the life he lived, and the lives of my grandparents and others who went before, and since him; and I recall the synergy between the sound of the shofar and the freedom it granted my uncle at the end of his life.

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