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May I listen to the shofar via telephone?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

  

Library » Holidays » Rosh Hashanah » Shofar | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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1. It is forbidden to use the telephone on Shabbat or holidays.

2. Even if it would be permitted to use the telephone on Rosh Hashanah, listening to Shofar blasts over the phone wouldn't be fulfilling the Mitzvah.

We are commanded to hear the sound of a shofar. When listening to a recording, over a telephone or through a microphone you are not actually hearing the sound of a ram's horn. Instead you are listening to an electronic reproduction which is made to sound like the sound of a shofar. In other words, it's not your actual voice traveling through the telephone wires (duh!) -- instead electronic signals which will electronically reproduce the sound. Therefore, one cannot fulfill the mitzvah of shofar through any electronic medium.

When listening over a telephone you are not actually hearing the sound of a ram's horn. Instead you are listening to an electronic reproduction which is made to sound like the sound of a shofar
3. Hearing the sounds of the Shofar is the primary mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah. If, due to extenuating circumstances, you are unable to attend synagogue, contact your local Chabad rabbi who will do all he can to send a "shofar blower" to your home.


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Mitzvah
(pl. Mitzvot). A commandment from G-d. Mitzvah also means a connection, for a Jew connects with G–d through fulfilling His commandments.
Shabbat
(pl: Shabbatot). Hebrew word meaning "rest." It is a Biblical commandment to sanctify and rest on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. This commemorates the fact that after creating the world in six days, G-d rested on the seventh.
Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish New Year. An early autumn two day holiday marking the creation of Adam and Eve. On this day we hear the blasts of the ram's horn and accept G-d's sovereignty upon ourselves and the world. On Rosh Hashanah we pray that G-d should grant us all a sweet New Year.
Shofar
The horn of a Kosher animal. The Shofar is sounded on the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, and is intended to awaken us to repentance. Also blown to signify the conclusion of the Yom Kippur holiday.