Shall a Shofar Be Blown in a City and the People Not Tremble

Return. "Shall a shofar be blown in a city and the people not tremble? Shall there be evil in a city and the LORD has not done it?" (Amos 3:6). This is like a province that was overrun by raiding troops, and there was a certain elder in it who would warn all the inhabitants of the province. Everyone who listened to him was saved, and everyone who did not listen to him -- the troops would come and kill him. So it is written: "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel" (Ezekiel 33:7); "When I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die" (Ezekiel 33:8); "But if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness" (Ezekiel 33:9). So too, "Shall a shofar be blown in a city" -- on Rosh Hashanah; "and the people not tremble" -- these are Israel; "Shall there be evil in a city and the LORD has not done it" -- the Holy One, blessed be He, does not desire the death of the wicked. This is as it is written: "Say to them, As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no desire in the death of the wicked" (Ezekiel 33:11). My people, what do I ask of you? Only, "Turn, turn from your evil ways, for why should you die, O house of Israel?" (Ezekiel 33:11). And some wish to derive it from this: "Seek Me and live" (Amos 5:4). My people, what do I ask of you? Only "Seek Me and live." Therefore Hosea warns Israel and says to them, "Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God" (Hosea 14:2).