The Shofar and the Workers
by Rabbi Ch. D. Ermon-Kastenbaum
A group of young Jewish construction workers who were pressed for time to complete a building in a Jerusalem neighborhood continued working on Rosh Hashanah.
When the neighbors grew aware of this, they immediately sent someone to inform Rav Kook.
A short while later, Rav Kook’s representative appeared on the site carrying a shofar. He approached the workers, who were astonished to see this religious man. After wishing the workers a good year, he told them that Rav Kook had sent him to blow the shofar for them. He politely asked them to interrupt their work and pay attention, and immediately recited the blessing and began to blow the shofar.
This statement of Rav Kook and the shofar blowing had their intended effect. Every shofar blast touched the hearts and awoke the Jewish core in these young workers. They put down their tools and gathered about the shofar-blower, some with tears in their eyes. In that skeletal, unfinished building echoed the ancient call of the shofar, reminding them of their father’s house, their grandfather’s visage, their town and synagogue; reminded them of a world of Jews standing in prayer. And they were inundated by questions: What has happened to us? Where are we, where have we gotten to? And they stood in confusion and reflection.
When the shofar blowing was completed, there was no need for words. Everyone decided to stop work. Some asked Rav Kook’s representative if they could accompany him. They quickly changed their clothes and walked together with him to Rav Kook’s beis medrash.
Moadei Harayah, p. 65
Source: here.