BS”D

QUESTIONS FOR 5778 by Rabbi Edward Davis

1. Why do we blow during the month of Elul?

2. Why do we not blow Shofar on Erev Rosh HaShanah?

3. What is Eruv Tavshilin and what does it accomplish?

4. Why do we delay blowing Shofar on Rosh HaShanah until after Shacharit and Torah reading?

5. What are the three different sounds of the Shofar?

6. What are the three special sections of the ?

7. Why do we not say Hallel on Rosh HaShanah (it’s a Yom Tov!)?

8. Why is Rosh HaShanah the only holiday that is extended to 2 days in Israel?

9. What is the name for Rosh HaShanah in the Torah?

10. What are the 4 Rosh HaShanahs described in the 1st of tractate Rosh Hashanah?

11. Why is not mentioned in the prayers of Rosh HaShanah? (The Maharam of Rottenberg.)

12. Mussaf contains 9 Berachot. Why 9?

13. Which 3 barren women (in Tanach) were remembered on Rosh HaShanah, and Hashem enabled them to give birth?

Relationships: a) Yosef – Orde b) – Rivkah c) Chanah – Penina d) Shmuel – Eli e) Rachel – Mupim

ANSWERS FOR ROSH HASHANAH 5778

1. The Rambam explains that we blow Shofar during Elul to awaken us to repent.

2. To separate the optional Shofar blasts of Elul and the obligatory Shofar blasts of Rosh HaShanah.

3. The Eruv Tavshilin is comprised of one cooked item and one baked food and designated on Erev Yom Tov which precedes , enabling us to prepare for Shabbat on Friday Yom Tov.

4. In the days of the Roman occupation, blowing the Shofar early was interpreted by the Romans as a military call to rebellion.

5. Tekiah (one long blast), Shevarim (3 short blasts), and Teruah (9+ very short blasts).

6. Malchiyot (Kingship), Zichranot (Remembrance), and Shofrot (Revelation).

7. We cannot sing Hallel when we are being judged for our lives.

8. Rosh HaShanah is the only holiday that is the first of the month. The people could not be informed in time to know if the new moon appeared.

9. Yom Teruah.

10. a) The 1st of Elul (for produce), b) the 1st of , c) the 15th of Shevat (trees), and d) the 1st of Nissan (for kings).

11. When the King arrives, you don’t honor the accompanying officers.

12. Corresponding to the 9 times Channah mentions God’s name in her prayer after giving birth to Shmuel.

13. Sarah, Rachel, and Channah.

Relationships: a) Uncle Yosef b) Mother-in-law Sarah c) Co-wives (Tzarot in Hebrew) d) Really not blood relatives, but one could refer to Eli as Shmuel’s foster parent e) Grandmother Rachel