Midrash in the Zohar teaches that on Rosh Hashanah the sounds of the shofar
go up until they arrive at the Patriarchs, where they arouse our Patriarchs
to beseech for Israel rachamim, compassion, and the shattering of all harsh
judgments.
“Rebbe Abba used to sit in front of Rebbe Shimon and say to him, ‘Many
times I asked about this shofar. What is its significance? And even until
now, I haven’t received an answer.
“Rebbi Shimon said to him, ‘Certainly, this matter is clear. In
the first series of shofar blows the sound goes out, rises up
to the heavenly firmaments, goes above and surpasses them, and arrives at
Avraham Avinu. It goes to Avraham Avinu’s head, hovers over him and arouses
him to prepare his royal throne. “ ‘The second series of
shofar blows is strong. It breaks through the harsh decrees. When they rise
up above, all the aroused harsh decrees are shattered. The shofar blows then
arrive at the place where Yitzhak is. When Yitzhak is aroused, he sees that
Avraham Avinu is preparing his royal throne to stand upon it. Therefore Yitzhak
submits and shatters the harsh decrees. “ ‘The third series
of shofar blows goes out and rises above. They pass through all of these (heavenly)
firmaments until compassion has been aroused. They arrive at the head of Yaacov…”Zohar
on Parsha Emor page 99, 71.
