6046 – Shofar So Good - See question above.
Q. Rabenu Shlit’a, I have a few more questions Are the same requirements needed for the shofar we use during Elul as for the Shofar of Rosh Hashana? And can a youngster, not bar mitzva yet blow, if no one else is available?
A. Kovetz Halachos (Yomim Noraim 1:19) quotes Rav Shmuel Kamenetzky that since the purpose of blowing shofar during the month of Elul is to inspire us to do Teshuva, the halachic requirements for blowing shofar on Rosh Hashana are not applicable when blowing during Elul. Though it is preferable that an adult blow shofar in Elul, a child (even before bar mitzvah) may blow the shofar if an adult is not available, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting, Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
Similarly, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is also that he can blow when no adult is available.
As mentioned in question above, Horav Yaakov Hirschman’s Shlit’a opinion is that since the blowing of the shofar during Elul is only a minhag and tradition, he maintains that in need one can be lenient.
See next question.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a, and Horav Dovid Bartfeld consulting, Horav Hagaon Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz Shlit’a
Reviewed by: Hagaon Rav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Published: August 15, 2026