Why Does the Shofar Wake Us Up Every Morning in Elul? Rabbi Eitiel Goldwicht

Overview of Elul: A Month of “Wake-Up,” Not Fear

Rabbi Eitiel Goldwicht explains that Elul—a month without a fixed holiday—nonetheless carries major spiritual significance. It is the period of “wake-up” (reawakening) leading to Rosh Hashanah and the Days of Judgment.

While some people associate Elul with fear and trepidation, he argues that Judaism’s core is love. Elul should not freeze a person into anxiety; it should push them toward constructive action and relationship repair.

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Elul’s “Wake-Up Call” Is the Shofar (and Timing Matters)

The shofar as a daily awakening signal

The rabbi emphasizes that the shofar is blown during Elul to warn and awaken. He notes a tradition that the shofar’s cry functions as a kind of broken/crying appeal to God.

It is also described as being blown daily throughout Elul—historically referenced as occurring not only in the morning but also at night.

Time and spiritual “energy” shifts

He connects this practice to a broader theme: changes in time and energy. Different parts of the day carry different spiritual “energies,” which is why Jewish practice includes three daily prayers (aligned with the day’s spiritual shifts).

Likewise, Elul represents a special window where one must tune into the new spiritual energy.

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Why Blow the Shofar Around Chatzos (Middle of the Night, Ideally)

The rabbi focuses on the ideal time to say Tikkun Chatzos—described as being around the middle of the night.

When the world is quieter—after many have gone to sleep—the person is more capable of inner awakening, with less distraction.

The underlying message: Elul is the month of waking up—specifically waking up the self that has been dulled by busyness, screens, news, and emotional numbness.

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The Deeper Avodah of Elul: Rebuilding Relationships

Rabbi Goldwicht’s central message is that the shofar’s purpose is to enable a person to repair relationships. True readiness for Rosh Hashanah comes from inner transformation, not just external preparations.

• He frames life as a network of relationships that need mending.
• If people prepare for a joyous event (like an anniversary or birthday) while still in conflict, the joy can feel “bland.”
• Real joy arrives after repairing what was harmed.

So Elul is a time to:

• Stop the race
• Do inner work
• Then communicate outwardly to mend connections

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The Three Key Relationships (Three Pillars of Judaism)

He presents Elul as centering on three relationships:

1. A person and God
2. A person and fellow Jews
3. A person and himself (identity, inner truth, and self-awareness)

He ties these to Elul’s theme of “ani l’dodi / ani”, emphasizing that Elul directs focus inward—“I” must work—so the person can re-attach to love and God.

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Teshuvah: Returning to Your Core Identity

The rabbi explains teshuvah/chaivah not primarily as a mechanical request for forgiveness, but as returning to one’s core self—clarifying identity beyond labels such as job, role, or status.

A story that reframes the question

He shares a story: an older observant woman (connected to a seminary) on a plane asks a young man, “Who are you?” rather than “What do you do?” That question pushes him toward real self-reflection about his life purpose and identity.

He argues that throughout life, people should keep “returning” inward and evolving. Growth and renewal should not stop with age.

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Practical Outcome: Elul Prepares You for Rosh Hashanah Joy

When Elul is used to mend relationships—especially the inner relationship with oneself—one can approach Rosh Hashanah (often described as “the birthday of humanity”) with the right energy and meaningful excitement.

If someone focuses only on external preparation while ignoring relationship repair, Rosh Hashanah can become emotionally flat.

Ultimately, Elul is presented as a gift: an annual repeating wake-up opportunity to stop numbing distractions, reconnect to God and people, and rebuild for the coming year.

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Presenters / Contributors

• Rabbi Eitiel Goldwicht (speaker)