Anyone who hears the sound of the Shofar on Rosh Hashana from a man of true piety will not succumb to "fallen fears," such as fear of thunder, for the entire year because the only purpose of these fallen fears is to awaken us to experience awe of the Infinite One.
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With each blast of the Shofar on Rosh Hashana, one receives a new capacity for higher consciousness, each person according to his or her level. This higher consciousness shines forth from the constant radiance of the "Divine countenance."
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The purpose of sounding the Shofar is to awaken us from our spiritual sleep. Each day like the form of the Shofar: we begin in a state of constriction and limitation. However, by our striving to serve God in every moment, the day widens until we attain "length of days." We can transcend time and division altogether, perceiving the Divine Oneness through every facet of Creation.
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When Jews gather together around the Tzaddik on Rosh Hashana, all harsh judgments are sweetened, and God's mercy prevails. The light of the Tzaddik shines into all souls, and joy and delight flow into the world.
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During the Days of Awe it is good to weep profusely like a child. Throw aside all sophistication. Just cry like a child before God, cry for the diseases of the heart, for the anguish and confusion of the soul. Then you will be worthy of a beautiful Etrog on Sukkot: a pure heart, free of the slightest blemish.
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There are three "heads": the Tzaddik who is the "head" of the Jewish people; the "head" or state of mind of each Jew; and the "head" of the year, which is Rosh Hashana. When all three come together, everything attains the purpose for which it was created: the knowledge of God.
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Our Sages teach that on Rosh Hashana, three books are opened: one for the Tzaddikim, one for the completely wicked, and one for those in between. Tzaddikim are inscribed immediately for good, the completely wicked are immediately inscribed for evil, and those in between are granted time
until Yom Kippur to return to God (Rosh Hashana 16b).
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Rebbe Nachman's leading disciple,
Reb Nosson, adds: "Those who are attached to the Tzaddikim also are inscribed immediately for good, together with the Tzaddikim." May we all be written and sealed in the "Book of the Tzaddikim" this year and every year, amen.