Hearing: Preparing Our Hearts

“And he said to me, ‘Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you’ (Ezekiel 3:10).” “Once you have heard what I say to you, take it to heart so that you will not forget (Radak).” Hearing is only the first step. It must be followed by taking the message to heart.

The best way to prepare for Hearing the Shofar and taking its message to heart is to practice during Elul, at least once each prayer, to listen carefully to the words of the prayer, discern the message and turn it into a practice: Taking it to heart. This will ensure that we will be prepared on Rosh Hashanah to hear and take to heart the message of the Shofar.