MANY THINGS ON THE HIGH HOLIDAYS

First up is the shopping. Its dangerous out there watch your back. If you have ever seen the pre x-mas shopping or the piling up on supplies for an expected snowstorm (which are shockingly crazy) it is those two combined. People screaming and running, stealing, pushing (this ain't helping you for the new year), children, guys on bluetooth, its all that in a crowded little spot with carts that don't fit the isles. People getting stepped on a tug-a-war for a little jar of honey or sugar, children crying for their mommies and men asking for the whole holiday list (which they forgot) on a cellphone. For a real good explanation on what happens checkout Frumcolleggirl she experienced the worst.

Then comes the Shuls. Over at Frumsatire he questions whether you should pay for seats if you are already a member. I don't know why and I think I agree that you shouldn't have to pay if you are already a member of the shul. Since I live in a community which really doesn't care about being a member to a certain shul, their is no doubt that you you pay for a seat. Then comes the aliyahs which are sold through a bidding. What happens if no one wants to buy an aliyah do they give em out for free?

I have heard that many shuls want an attraction to the shul for the High holidays. So they get a very good chazzan. My opinion on the chazzan is the better he is at chazzonus means the slower we go, now that's a big turn off for me. Dont know what the shuls are thinking. A good Shofar blower now that's an attraction the longer the Tekiah the better. I think it should be a halacha that you can only have a good shofar blower. If hes bad people will say loshon hara about him and that will ruin the chances of getting written in the good book.

After the holiday is over you have a new holiday to prepare for and only four days to do it. Sukkos. And you'll have fun finding the kosher esrog which maybe a little hard this year due to shmittah and building a temporary dwelling for yourself. Well to all have a happy healthy pre new year and (post) new year.

SHOFAR BLOWING THOUGHTS

I was in shul the other day. At the end of our morning services we all got to hear the great rams horn. When I first heard it I was thinking "Elul is here.....Shoots Yom Kippur is coming". Then I was thinking "I have to repent on all those sins I've made". I then was interrupted with the unworthy of a "Shofar blowing" sound.

This sound was not a typical shofar blow. No. It was far from it. Usually in a good blow you have this (hard to explain in words) fullness and power in it. Like a clarinet being played real well. Instead I got this air going through a tube which was being broken up into three parts then nine. Even the easier Tekiah (one full long blow no breaks) wasn't good.

So I wondered are you considered yotzei the mitzvah of shofar if the blow isn't a in full power and just air running through a tube?