Covid & Shofar blowing

 

I see many articles about Covid & Shofar blowing, many people are suggesting to put a mask over the end of the Shofar.

From what I understand from the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Oruch, anything attached to either end would make the blowing on Rosh Hashana pasul. My question is:

1. Is it a kosher Shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah with a mask or cover on the end of the shofar?

2. If I were to blow in one room & the people listening would be in an adjacent room or behind a partition, is it a problem that they might be hearing an echo rather than the original sound?

 

Answer:

The Shofar may not be covered.

See also here.

In a normal case, the people behind the partition or in the next room (definitely if the door or windows are open) should be able to distinguish between the sound of the shofar and an echo and it should be okay if they can tell that they are hearing the shofar. If that’s not the case or the shul/room where the shofar is produces an echo it’s problematic.

 

Sources:

שוע”ר סי’ תקפ”ו סעיף י”א-י”ח.

שם סי’ תקפ”ז ס”ה, ט”ז בשו”ע סק”א בארוכה וראה ערוך השולחן ס”ו אפילו כשהדלתות וחלונות סגורים.

 

 

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