Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 590

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 590 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1The Proper Order of the Shofar Blasts and in it 9 paragraphs How many Tekiahs is one obligated to hear on Rosh HaShana? Nine. (This is) because it says "Teruah" by Yovel and Rosh HaShana three times. And every Teruah has a straight (blast) before it and a straight (blast) after it. And from tradition (the Sages) learned that all Teruahs of the seventh month, whether on Rosh HaShana or Yom HaKippurim of Yovel, (are) nine Tekiahs. We blow on each of them TR"T, TR"T TR"T.
2. 2This Teruah that is said in the Torah, it is doubtful to us if it is the wail that we call Teruah or if it is what we call Shevarim or if they are both of them together. Therefore, in order to remove any doubt, one needs to blow TSR"T three times, TS"T three times and TR"T three times.
3. 3Some say that the length of a tekiah is the same as the length of a teruah, and the length of the teruah is that of three whimpers, meaning three minimal puffs called termuitin. According to this, it is necessary to take care not to elongate the shevarim to the length of three terumitin, lest it exit the category of shevarim to tekiah. Some say not to worry about elongating the shevarim a bit as long as it is not too long, and that is how we practice (Mordechai and Hagahot Asheri chapter 19). The tekiah of tekiah-shevarim-teruah-tekiah should be longer than that of tekiah-shevarim-tekiah and that of tekiah-shevarim-tekiah should be longer than that of tekiah-teruah-tekiah. However, if one elongates each tekiah, there is no problem, as it has no maximal limit. Similarly, teruah can be lengthened as much as desired. Similarly, if one adds to the three [notes] of the shevarim and does four or five, it is fine. There are those who say that the length of a whimper is three terumitin and the length of a teruah is three whimpers, which is nine terumitin, and the length of a tekiah is also nine terumitin like the teruah. According to this, there is no concern about elongating the shevarim a bit, and the tekiah of tekiah-shevarim-teruah-tekiah must be twelve terumitin long. One who does not elongate the tekiah to this measure and elongates the shevarim has not satisfied either opinion.
4. 4The three [blasts] of shevarim need to be done in one breath. Some say that the three blasts of shevarim and the teruah of tekiah-shevarim-teruah-tekiah need not be done in one breath as long as the break is not more than the time to breathe. some say that they do need to be done in one breath. One who fears Heaven will follow both opinions, doing the sitting blasts with one breath and the standing blasts with two breaths. Rema: The widespread custom is to do everything with two breaths, and this should not be changed.
5. 5If one did tekiah-teruah-tekiah in one breath, he has fulfilled the obligation. There is an opinion that he has not fulfilled the obligation.
6. 6If one extended the final tekiah of tekiah-shevarim-teruah-tekiah to the length of two tekiah so that it would count for the final tekiah of tekiah-shevarim-teruah-tekiah and the first of tekiah-shevarim-tekiah, it only counts for one tekiah. Some say that it doesn't even count for one. Rema: If one blasted one tekiah between the two sets on the condition that it count for the set that is the [absolute] correct set, it counts (Beit Yosef).
7. 7If one erred in tekiah-shevarim-teruah-tekiah and after sounding two of the shevarim blasts, he began the teruah, if he realizes immediately he should sound an additional shevarim blast. If he does not realize until he finishes the teruah that he mistakenly began, the first tekiah still counts, and he should repeat the three shevarim and teruah and tekiah. If this happened in tekiah-shevarim-tekiah or tekiah-teruah-tekiah, the first tekiah does not count.
8. 8If one [inappropriately] inserted a teruah between tekiah and shevarim or inserted a shevarim between teruah and tekiah or if one did two teruahs consecutively or if one did a tekiah after a teruah without intention of doing a tekiah and thus interrupted the flow from teruah to tekiah or if sounded three shevarim blasts was silent and then did three additional shevarim blasts or even one, in all of these cases it is considered an interruption and even the initial tekiah does not count.
9. 9If one did two tekiah-shevarim-teruah-tekiah or two tekiah-shevarim-tekiah or two tekiah-teruah-tekiah appropriately and erred on the third, he only needs to return to the place of error. If one blew into the wide side of the shofar, they have not fulfilled their obligation. Rema: After the blasts, the leader says the verse "Happy is the nation that knows blasts" [Psalms 89:16] and "Happy..." [Psalms 145] and they return the Torah scroll.

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