By: Rabbi Chaim Yeshaya Freeman
When Rosh Hashana falls on Shabbos, we do not blow the shofar. The Mishnah (Rosh Hashana 29b) teaches that when the Beis Hamikdash stood, the shofar was blown in the Mikdash but not במדינה.
The reason we do not blow shofar on Shabbos is a decree of Chazal. They were concerned that someone might carry the shofar through a public domain in order to learn how to blow it. In the Beis Hamikdash, this decree did not apply.
After the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, Reb Yochanan ben Zakkai instituted that the shofar should be blown on Shabbos in a place that has a Beis Din. There is a dispute regarding what type of Beis Din is required. Tosafos HaRosh requires a Beis Din of סמוכים, while the Ran, explaining the Rif, maintains that even a Beis Din of three qualified and established judges is sufficient. The Rambam requires a Beis Din that is fit to sanctify the new moon. Today, however, we do not blow shofar on Shabbos.
The Raavad (Sukkah 21b) explains that the pesukim describing the mitzvah of shofar also mention the korbanos of Rosh Hashana. This indicates that the primary fulfillment of the mitzvah was connected to the Beis Hamikdash. Chazal therefore did not suspend the mitzvah in its primary location.
The Turei Even explains that Chazal did not want to completely uproot the mitzvah of shofar. Since the shofar brings our merits before Hashem, they preserved the mitzvah in the Beis Hamikdash.
The Sfas Emes explains that this was also the basis for the takkanah of Reb Yochanan ben Zakkai. Since Chazal did not intend to completely uproot the mitzvah, he extended it to places with an established Beis Din.
Reb Akiva Eiger (Drush Vechidush maracha 8 s.v vehinei) and the Avnei Nezer (Y.D 141:11) maintain that although one violated the decree of Chazal, he nevertheless fulfilled the Torah mitzvah of shofar. The Chelkas Yoav (Kava Kushyasa 99) disagrees and maintains that no mitzvah was fulfilled.
The Tzlach offers a fascinating explanation for why we do not blow shofar on Shabbos. The shofar serves to silence the prosecutors as we stand in judgment. However, the Gemara (Beitzah 36b) teaches that the Heavenly Beis Din does not judge on Shabbos. Therefore, the shofar is not needed for this purpose.
The Meshech Chochmah (Emor 23:24) offers another perspective. By refraining from blowing shofar because of the concern for חילול שבת, we demonstrate that even this great mitzvah cannot override the קדושה of Shabbos. Our willingness to put Hashem's command before our desire to perform the mitzvah itself becomes a זכות for us.
Taken from the Kollel Avreichim Hollywood
