MAN RELISHES ROSH HASHANA RITUAL; HORN BLAST BEGINS HIGH HOLY DAYS.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

Each year, Nathan Beckerman sits patiently in the synagogue waiting for the blowing of the shofar that signals Rosh Hashana - the start of the High Holy Days and the Jewish New Year.

But at sundown Sunday, the congregation at Beth Knesset Bamidbar was scheduled to wait for Beckerman, who would lead six youths in producing the sacred sounds of the ancient instrument.

``This is the first time I've done it at Rosh Hashana,'' Beckerman, 19, said last week. ``I'm really excited. It's a big difference than Friday night services.''

Beckerman was scheduled to lead the shofar ceremony while standing on the pulpit, sounding off simultaneously with six 14- and 15-year-olds who were to be placed at strategic points throughout the temple.

``This is the first time it's being done this way,'' Beckerman said. ``It's going to create a surround-sound effect.''

While Beckerman regularly blows the ram's horn during Friday night services, he considers the Rosh Hashana ceremony an honor. He has been practicing the sounds that correlate to the various feelings Jews express during the service.

``How long you hold the blast is very important,'' Beckerman said. ``Everything has a meaning.''

The first blast lasts two to three seconds and is known as tekiah. The second sound, known as shvarim, consists of three equally short blasts. Finally come nine staccato blasts known as truah.

``The obligation is not to blow the shofar but to hear it,'' said Rabbi Alan Henkin. ``The sounds of shofar can call them to repentance.''

Rosh Hashana began at sundown Sunday, celebrating the Jewish New Year of 5759 and kicking off the High Holy Days, the most religious time in the Jewish calendar, which lead to Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are days devoted to prayer and self-evaluation.

``In light of the national crisis going on, the theme of sin, repentance and forgiveness have become all the more important,'' Henkin said. ``I'm grateful that our country has decided to give serious thought to these matters during this important time of the year.''

During Sunday's Rosh Hashana service that was scheduled for 8 p.m. at 1611 E. Avenue J, Henkin was to speak to the congregation on the importance of keeping kosher, the dietary laws of the Jewish faith.

``People are always looking for ways to bring religion into their lives,'' Henkin said. ``Eating is one of the best ways.''

Rosh Hashana services also will take place at 10 a.m. today with a public family service at 2 p.m. At 4 p.m., a service at Apollo Park will feature the tashlik ceremony, in which bread crumbs representing sins are cast into the water.

Kol Nidre services for Yom Kippur will take place at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 and 10 a.m. Sept. 30.