Familiar sounds, those we hear often, no matter how disturbing they once were, the brain can learn to ignore, or not focus on. We can also do that with physical and emotional pain, or in the face of need – someone else’s need.

The sound of the shofar awakens us, draws our attention to, and resets us to God’s purpose: new sound drawing our ear, and ultimately our hearts, minds, and bodies to the source of the sound.

Four calls are heard on Rosh Hashanah, traditionally 100 times:

1. Tekiah – To awaken or summons, the King is enthroned; one note of the shofar.

2. Shevarim – To break or fracture; three short, connected notes.

3. Truah – To alarm, and awaken you from spiritual slumber; a series of many short connected sounds made with the tongue.

4. Tekiah gedolah – the great tekiah; one long, single sound longer than a standard tekiah.

Spiritual meaning for reflection:

1. Tekiah: What and to Whom are you awakening? The tekiah stimulates passion to fill the Lord’s will and desire in life – the doing of His Word (Jn. 14:15).

2. Shevarim: Where in your life do you find brokenness, and need for repair? Shevarim draws attention to that place (Ps. 34:18).

3. Truah: Once awakened, are you ready, and/or willing to respond to the call, the need, and the work? Get up, go (Eph. 2:8-10)!

4. Tekiah Gedolah: Recognize where and how you have been healed in life, celebrate and give thanks to the Lord, Hallelujah (Ps. 150)!

The sound of the shofar changes our environment, thus changing our minds in the midst of it. More and more people are numb to life because of the repetition of daily schedules, or brokenness not tended to.

The calls of the shofar wake us up, drawing us to the Great Physician, sending us out to be about His business, and celebrate in praise all that He has accomplished.

Glory to God, He wants us awakened, healed, and in life; until the final shout, and the return of the enthroned King, Messiah Yeshua/Jesus:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (I Thess. 4:16-17).

Be well. Shalom.