By Rabbi Howard Wolk

Parashat Ki Tetze

In life, anything worthwhile requires preparation. Whichever profession a person wishes to enter, he or she must go through years of education and practical training.

A surgeon goes through years of schooling and careful training. A person cannot just decide one day to do surgery.

A baseball player hones his skills through high school and the minor leagues. Only a select few develop the skills to make it to the majors.

In Jewish life, too, milestones and important times of the year require preparation.

During this entire month of Elul, each weekday morning we sound the shofar. It is literally and figuratively a wake-up call that Rosh Hashanah is approaching — and with it the seriousness of personal reflection and introspection. One cannot just jump into the New Year.

We can learn important lessons from the shofar.

The Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) states that if the outside of the shofar is adorned in silver or gold, it may be used on Rosh Hashanah. If, however, the inside of the shofar is covered with those materials or the mouth of the shofar is covered — the shofar is pasul (invalid) and may not be used to fulfill the mitzvah.

The reason is because in the latter examples, the sounds of the shofar are changed. The layer of gold or silver affects the sound. That is not the case if the outside of the shofar is covered.

We are to hear the unadulterated sound of the shofar. Its sound must be pure and unchanged.

This particular halacha has many ethical applications. When we deal with people, our approach must be one of honesty and integrity.

In instructing our children, they must see clear and unadulterated examples of proper behavior.

We must be clear about what our Jewish values are when we are confronted by ethical and moral challenges. When Israel is attacked verbally — we must know how to respond.

The sounds of the shofar represent the message of Torah. It must always be a loud and true voice.

May the blasts of the shofar inspire us as we head into the New Year.

And may our collective prayers be offered with sincerity and unity.

Shabbat shalom.

Ketiva va’Hatimah Tovah.

Shanah Tovah.

Rabbi Howard Wolk

Rabbi Howard Wolk is community chaplain at Jewish Family Service of Dallas. He is rabbi emeritus of Congregation Shaare Tefilla and a past president of the Rabbinic Association of Greater Dallas.