– Q. See questions above. We were further wondering, if from the friends camping with us the only one that knows how to blow the shofar (more or less) is my talented son. The problem is that he is only twelve years old. Can he blow on this special occasion?

A. On question 352 regarding a minor blowing Shofar during Elul, we wrote: “Q. Dear Rabbi, In our small weekday minyan we have a problem getting someone to blow the Shofar daily. Can a youngster who is not bar mitzvah yet blow for us? To what we answered;

“Nitei Gavriel (Rosh Hashono 4: 8) writes that if no other Baal Tokea is available to blow the Shofar during Elul, even a minor who is not Bar Mitzah yet, can be asked. However on the onset, a Koton should not blow the Shofar as it is not befitting for the honor of the congregation.

Mekadesh Yisroel (Yomim Noroim p.44) depends this Shaileh on the reason for blowing Shofar during Elul, if it is for awakening the listeners to do Teshuva, then a minor may not be as stirring and as effective as an adult. Other reasons mentioned apply even when a minor blows. (See also Meagel Hashana p.37 and Shevet Hakehossi 1:185).

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that he can blow when no adult is available.”
As mentioned in question above, Horav Yaakov Hirschman Shlit’a opinion is that since the blowing of the shofar during Elul is only a minhag and tradition, he maintains that in need one can be lenient.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a