Rosh Hashana: The Shofar, a Proclamation of Equality

Posted by Rahel Berkovits on September 2, 2018
Topics: Pardes from Jerusalem, Rosh Hashana

The text of the Torah states that Rosh Hashana should be a day of blasting–yom teruah–however, the verses do not specify what type of instrument should be sounded to create the teruah sound. From where do the Rabbis learn that it is, in fact, a shofar that is blown as the central ritual of the day? What can we learn to enhance our understanding of Rosh Hashana from the comparison the Rabbis make between the holiday and the Jubilee year? What is the interplay between our relationship with God and our relationship with other people?  

This podcast episode is sponsored by Pardes alumna Judith Sherman Russell (Fall 2011) in honor of the Faculty of Pardes and all of the Torah learning they inspire.

Check out the latest online learning for the upcoming Holidays, including our Pardes Rosh Hashana Companion and a new podcast mini-series on Inspired Parenting. See https://elmad.pardes.org/rosh-hashana.

Credits:
Larry Kluger – Creative Consultant
Arlene Harel – Production Coordinator

About Rahel Berkovits

Rahel Berkovits is a senior faculty member at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, where she has been teaching Mishnah, Talmud and halakha for over twenty years. Rahel lectures widely in both Israel and abroad especially on topics concerning women and Jewish law and a Jewish sexual ethic. She is the Halakhic Editor and a writer for Hilkhot Nashim the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance’s Halakhic Source-guide Series, recently published by Koren Publishing. Rahel is a founding member of Congregation Shirah Hadasha, a halakhic partnership Synagogue, and serves on their halakha committee. In June 2015, Rahel received Rabbinic Ordination from Rabbis Herzl Hefter and Daniel Sperber. Click here to read more. You can find books written by Rahel by clicking here

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