The next of the Shofar calls is SHEVARIM. The word comes from the Hebrew root that speaks to the breaking, fracturing, and shattering of things. The three short sounds of this note hint at a cry or a wail—as if feeling the pain of whatever may be breaking, fracturing, or shattering.

The mere presence of SHEVARIM in this sacred litany of Shofar calls speaks to me. Sure, we can invoke Leonard Cohen and talk about how the cracks and brokenness in the world are needed to let the light in. But before we even go there, consider this: SHEVARIM and its brokenness are always present in the Shofar experience—and always present in our lives.

We can get ourselves into trouble when we paint a picture suggesting that brokenness isn’t supposed to be there. Then, when we encounter brokenness, we spend much of our time and energy feeling angry, frustrated, and disillusioned because something important has shattered. Perhaps acknowledging and accepting that part of the human experience comes with all that SHEVARIM suggests might afford us a different approach to the very real pain, fear, and suffering that accompany brokenness. And maybe—just maybe—it might help us see that light which often pokes through those same cracks.

Listen up… SHEVARIM! Hear the cry, feel the sharp shards that can cut and hurt. Allow yourself to feel, accept, and experience this essential part of our humanity.