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Weekly
Chasidic Story#1450
(5785-01) 29 Elul 5785 (Sep. 22, 2025) The Lubavitcher Rebbe switched from shofar after shofar, attempting to blow each one, but no sound came out of any of them. Why this week? Tonight starts Rosh Hashana, year 5786.
A Well-Timed Thought For Shofar Blowing
Before Rosh Hashanah one year in the 1950s, Chaim (not his real name) asked a family in Crown Heights, New York, near the Lubavitcher Rebbe's headquarters, if they could host him for the upcoming holy days. Chaim was anxious to participate in the Rebbe's shofar blowing during the Rosh Hashanah prayers. He had been married for nine years and he and his wife had not been blessed with children. Chaim knew that before blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, the Lubavitcher Rebbe would pray for all the individuals who had turned to him for blessing. He wanted to be there, as close to the Rebbe as possible, to be blessed with a child. Chaim's hosts advised him to get to prayers early to find a place near the Rebbe. Chaim situated himself in a good spot and waited. The Rebbe came down to the synagogue with a number of shofars, as was his custom. The Rebbe, visibly earnest and serious, began reciting chapter 47 in Psalms seven times, as is customary before the blowing of the shofar. Chaim said every word with the Rebbe. He was intensely focused. The congregation was absolutely silent. All eyes were on the Rebbe. All thoughts were hinged on the success of the shofar blowing. The Rebbe said the blessing on the shofar and raised the first shofar to his lips. No sound came out. Absolute silence. He took another shofar. No sound. The anxiety in the congregation mounted. A third shofar. No sound. Confusion and dismay filled the hearts of all those present. Chaim, who was standing near the Rebbe, remained intensely focused. He and his wife had been anticipating a child for 9 years. All his hopes were pinned on the Rebbe, that in merit of his shofar blowing, they would have children. The Rebbe switched from shofar after shofar, attempting to blow each one, but no sound came out of any of them. The tension was thick and pervasive. Despite all his personal pain, Chaim suddenly decided, "Perhaps my strong focus on what I need for myself is what is stopping the sounds from coming out." He thought for a few more intense brief seconds and then addressed himself to the Creator of All, "Dear G-D, I forfeit my deep intention and prayers for a child for the good of the congregation." At that very moment, the Rebbe switched shofars again, but this time perfect sounds came out - each tekiah, each shevarim and each teruah - clear, loud and of proper length.[1] Chaim cried profusely. One year later, Chaim and his wife were blessed with a child. After a few more years, he brought the little boy to 770 after one of the festivals to receive a bit of wine from the Rebbe's cup of blessing. On the long line, Chaim refrained from telling his story to anyone. He passed before the Rebbe. There was about a second to stand before the Rebbe before the next person's turn. The Rebbe looked at Chaim and asked, "Is this the child from the blowing of the shofar?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Biographical note: Footnote: Tekiah=lengthy wailing sound, shevarim=brief weeping sound, teruah=staccato sobbing sound
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5662 - 3 Tammuz 5754 (April 1902 - June 1994)], became the 7th Rebbe of the
Chabad dynasty after his father-in-law's passing on 10 Shvat 5710 (1950). He
is widely acknowledged as the greatest Jewish leader of the second half of the
20th century. Although a dominant scholar in both the revealed and hidden aspects
of Torah and fluent in many languages and scientific subjects, the Rebbe is
best known for his extraordinary love and concern for every Jew on the planet.
His emissaries around the globe dedicated to strengthening Judaism number in
the thousands. Hundreds of volumes of his teachings have been printed, as well
as dozens of English renditions.
Yerachmiel
Tilles is co-founder and associate director of Ascent-of-Safed, and chief editor
of this website (and of KabbalaOnline.org). He has hundreds of published stories
to his credit, and many have been translated into other languages. He tells
them live at Ascent nearly every Saturday night.