Welcome to the Judaism community on Codidact!
Will you help us build our community of learners? Drop into our study hall, ask questions, help others with answers to their questions, share a d'var torah if you're so inclined, invite your friends, and join us in building this community together. Not an ask-the-rabbi service, just people at all levels learning together.
Post History
I would posit that there is no obligation of Shofar during Elul. It is a longstanding custom, but there are none of the hallmarks of an obligation, even Rabbinic: No ברכה (blessing) associated wit...
Answer
#3: Post edited
- I would posit that there is no **obligation** of Shofar during Elul. It is a longstanding custom, but there are none of the hallmarks of an obligation, even Rabbinic:
- * No ברכה (blessing) associated with it
- * No calling out of the notes, as is required on Rosh Hashanah
- * Extreme leniency (at least in my experience) with regard to length/quality of the notes
On that basis, there would seem to be no need to blow the Shofar during Elul without a Minyan. On the other hand, doing so would not seem to be forbidden in any way (e.g., without a Minyan or by a woman), as there is no Muktzah or other restriction on use of a Shofar except on Shabbos or Yom Tov.
- I would posit that there is no **obligation** of Shofar during Elul. It is a longstanding custom, but there are none of the hallmarks of an obligation, even Rabbinic:
- * No ברכה (blessing) associated with it
- * No calling out of the notes, as is required on Rosh Hashanah
- * Extreme leniency (at least in my experience) with regard to length/quality of the notes
- On that basis, there would seem to be no need to blow the Shofar during Elul without a Minyan. (See e.g. [Tzitz Eliezer 12:48](https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14511&st=&pgnum=150) and [Rivevot Ephraim I:394](https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1081&st=&pgnum=304).) On the other hand, doing so would not seem to be forbidden in any way (e.g., without a Minyan or by a woman), as there is no Muktzah or other restriction on use of a Shofar except on Shabbos or Yom Tov.
#2: Post edited
- I would posit that there is no **obligation** of Shofar during Elul. It is a longstanding custom, but there are none of the hallmarks of an obligation, even Rabbinic:
- * No ברכה (blessing) associated with it
- * No calling out of the notes, as is required on Rosh Hashanah
- * Extreme leniency (at least in my experience) with regard to length/quality of the notes
On that basis, there would seem to be no need to blow the Shofar during Elul without a Minyan. On the other hand, doing so would not seem to be forbidden in any way (i.e., without a Minyan or by a woman), as there is no Muktzah or other restriction on use of a Shofar except on Shabbos or Yom Tov.
- I would posit that there is no **obligation** of Shofar during Elul. It is a longstanding custom, but there are none of the hallmarks of an obligation, even Rabbinic:
- * No ברכה (blessing) associated with it
- * No calling out of the notes, as is required on Rosh Hashanah
- * Extreme leniency (at least in my experience) with regard to length/quality of the notes
- On that basis, there would seem to be no need to blow the Shofar during Elul without a Minyan. On the other hand, doing so would not seem to be forbidden in any way (e.g., without a Minyan or by a woman), as there is no Muktzah or other restriction on use of a Shofar except on Shabbos or Yom Tov.
#1: Initial revision
I would posit that there is no **obligation** of Shofar during Elul. It is a longstanding custom, but there are none of the hallmarks of an obligation, even Rabbinic: * No ברכה (blessing) associated with it * No calling out of the notes, as is required on Rosh Hashanah * Extreme leniency (at least in my experience) with regard to length/quality of the notes On that basis, there would seem to be no need to blow the Shofar during Elul without a Minyan. On the other hand, doing so would not seem to be forbidden in any way (i.e., without a Minyan or by a woman), as there is no Muktzah or other restriction on use of a Shofar except on Shabbos or Yom Tov.