Q. We were about to blow shofar for the first time this Elul, when the Baal Tokea realized that there was a split or crack of about two inches on the shofar he was given, at the wide end. We were davening in an outside minyan and no other shofar was available. Bein b'raira (no other option available). we used that shofar. Was that correct?
A. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 586: 8) mentions that when a shofar is split in its length there are different opinions whether it becomes disqualified or not, depending on which side the crack is. its overall length and also if there was a change in the tone. Mishna Berura (ibid. 42) rules that in case of need one can be lenient in some situations.
Horav Shlomo Miller's opinion is that the above applies to the tekias shofar of Rosh Hashana, however when we are dealing with the shofar blowing of Elul which is basically only a minhag, in case of need one can be lenient even more. Nevertheless, the Rov added, the minyan should make every effort to obtain a proper kosher shofar for Elul.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
