6093 - Blow Away Blow?
Q. Dear Rov, Shana Tova Umetuka. I read in a Torah article that when Rosh Hashana coincides with Shabbat, as it is on this year and you don’t blow the Shofar, it is bad omen for the year. Is that true?
A. On question 4385 we wrote:
Q. I see in the Luach that this coming Rosh Hashana is going to be on Shabbat, and there will be no Shofar blowing. Isn’t that uncommon and is it a bad omen for the next year?
A. On question 2852 regarding; “How often does Rosh Hashana fall on Shabbat, as it does on this year (5781-2020) and we don’t blow the shofar; it seems so unusual?
We answered: “Actually, during the last fifty years, there were fifteen occasions when the first day of Rosh Hashana coincided with Shabbos, including the present year.
Minchas Oni mentions that when Rosh Hashana coincided with Shabbos, historically we had the best years as the building of the Mishkan and the entry to Eretz Yisroel, however, also the worst as when the Eigel was made and the Churban occurred. Also it it depends on the keeping of Shabbos at that particular time.
Horav Y. Hirschman Shlit’a and Horav Aharon Kotler zt’l opined that it is a good siman because the unusual changes are effective in confusing the ‘Soton, so he won’t be able to be an accuser against the Jewish people.
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: September 13, 2026