The Hidden and The Revealed
On Rosh Hashanah, the process of judgment begins. The Zohar explains that Hashem takes on the role of judgment, referred to as the strengthening of Itzchak, as Itzchak represents judgment. The spiritual and physical worlds gather for judgment, and Hashem sits on the throne of judgment. This is why Hashem gave the mitzvah of blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, to shift the throne from judgment to mercy.
The shofar we blow cannot be from an ox because the ox represents judgment, as seen from its place on the left leg of the divine throne. Instead, we blow the ram's horn, which represents mercy. The ram reminds us of the story of Abraham and Itzchak, where the ram was sacrificed in place of Isaac. This symbolizes a substitution from judgment to mercy when we blow the
shofar.
The Zohar also explains the connection between blowing the shofar and the spiritual realms. There is a concept that Zeir Anpin and Nukva (spiritual entities) are in a state of "back to back" and need to go through a process called "nesirah" to turn face to face, which allows them to unify. This process requires a
state of dormita, similar to sleep, where their spiritual energy, or mochin, is removed. When the mochin is removed, judgment becomes stronger, which is the root of the judgment on Rosh Hashanah.
When we blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, the sounds from below reach the upper realms and awaken the spiritual process in Ima
(Binah). The lower shofar sound helps to restore the flow of mochin from Ima to Zeir Anpin and Nukva, changing the state from judgment to mercy. This is why it is important to blow the shofar with the proper intention, as it has the power to influence the spiritual worlds and bring mercy into the world.
May we all merit to have the right intentions and bring mercy into our lives and into the
world!
