The shofar is narrow on one side and wide on the other. It is represented in the pasuk (Tehillim 118:5) במרחב עננים ה"י קראתי המצר מן ה"י, "From the [narrow] straits did I call upon Hashem; Hashem answered me with expansiveness." We say this pasuk before we blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. It is expressing that we call out to Hashem from amidst our tzaros, represented by the narrow side of the shofar, and Hashem answers us with expansiveness, represented by the wide end of the shofar. Hashem hears our prayers and grants us all our hearts' desires.
Ben Ish Chai zt'l says that the shofar teaches us life lessons. It tells us never to be too worried and anxious and never too proud and certain of ourselves. He explains that life is filled with ups and downs, good times and tough times, challenges and salvations. When going through difficult times, one should remember that good times are coming. And when times are good, he shouldn't be a baal gaavah, because things can turn around and become hard again. This is the lesson of the narrow and wide side of the shofar. These opposite sides remind us that times and situations can change, so don't be too anxious or relaxed with your current situation.
The Mochiach of Prague
Ben Ish Chai (in another location) tells the following story:
A person came to a city and introduced himself as "the Mochiach of Prague". The people of the city understood that if he was called "the Mochiach of Prague", it must be that he was appointed to give mussar drashos to the community of Prague. They all wanted to hear his drashah, to be inspired by his pearls of wisdom, so they put up signs announcing that they have the privilege and opportunity to listen to the drashah of the Mochiach of Prague, and the sign told the date and time of the drashah.
A large crowd gathered at the designated time. They expected to hear divrei Torah and gems of wisdom, but that didn't happen. Instead, "the Mochiach of Prague” said a few short words. "I used to be the wealthiest person in Prague, but I lost all my money and became poor. So, I am the Mochiach of Prague. I am an example of how things can turn around. When people go through good times, they shouldn't become proud, because hard times might follow. And when they go through hard times, they should know that good times can come."
We don't need the Mochiach of Prague to teach us this lesson, because everyone knows it from his own life. There are good times, and there are harder times. Even in the same year, there can be changes. We can think back to the beginning of the year, until today, and we will see many ups and downs and see that things change, for the good or for the better. This contemplation will help those suffering to remember that suffering isn't forever. And it allows those going through good times that they should know that they shouldn't be haughty. No one knows what the future will bring.
This lesson also applies to spirituality. There are ups and downs, better times and harder times, and that is what makes our avodas Hashem precious to Hashem.
The Rebbe of Kobrin zt'l said, the beauty of a king's crown is from the holes. If it were a piece of solid gold or silver without any spaces, or if it were totally covered with diamonds and gems, it wouldn’t be so beautiful. It is because of the areas where there is no gold and silver, and there aren't any gems and diamonds that make the crown so beautiful. The lesson is that it is the hardships that we endure that make our avodas Hashem beautiful for Hashem.
The rav and tzaddik of Neipest zt'l told the following story. He told the same story every Friday night amidst many tears. (When he would tell the story, he would say that he has already said it before, but the story should be repeated every day so that it will enter our hearts.)
