The Shofar sounds - Tekiah and Teruah - are meant to last in total the same length of time.
The Tekiah, a simple, single sound, represents the world prior to Creation, a state of simple unity. The Teruah, formed of a series of small sounds, represents the world the was created, the transition from unity to multiplicity. Where there had been infinite, there now appeared numerous finite creations, each one different than the other. This process, called tzimtzum, was designed to define the unique parameters of each creature. This was not a creation from absolute nothingness, as before creation there had been an undifferentiated light. Rather, it was a change in nature of reality from one unified light lacking in distinction and multiplicity, to one in which there were many distinct creatures.
This can be compared to a flute into which one blows, generating one simple sound. By opening holes, or placing obstacles on them, the one sound is changed into a symphony of distinct sounds, all emanating from the simple primordial sound. The sound that would come from just blowing is analogous to the light that existed before Creation, tzimtzum is like pressing on the holes of the flute creating a melodious tune made of numerous sounds.
In this vein we can understand that the Tekiah represents the sound that is not blocked in any way, like the unified light that was before existence. The Teruah represents the changing of the simple sound to create the many faceted existence. What is new about the Teruah is not the sound, but the interruptions to the sound. It is the same sound, but it is blocked now and then resulting in many sounds. The Teruah is a multi-faceted Tekiah.
This is the meaning of the verse עלה אלוקים בתרועה ה' בקול שופר. The Tetragrammaton which represents the unlimited force of God, is the simple sound of the Shofar, the Teruah is represented by the name Elokim, the name of limitation.
חגי תשרי ע"ג
The Tekiah, a simple, single sound, represents the world prior to Creation, a state of simple unity. The Teruah, formed of a series of small sounds, represents the world the was created, the transition from unity to multiplicity. Where there had been infinite, there now appeared numerous finite creations, each one different than the other. This process, called tzimtzum, was designed to define the unique parameters of each creature. This was not a creation from absolute nothingness, as before creation there had been an undifferentiated light. Rather, it was a change in nature of reality from one unified light lacking in distinction and multiplicity, to one in which there were many distinct creatures.
This can be compared to a flute into which one blows, generating one simple sound. By opening holes, or placing obstacles on them, the one sound is changed into a symphony of distinct sounds, all emanating from the simple primordial sound. The sound that would come from just blowing is analogous to the light that existed before Creation, tzimtzum is like pressing on the holes of the flute creating a melodious tune made of numerous sounds.
In this vein we can understand that the Tekiah represents the sound that is not blocked in any way, like the unified light that was before existence. The Teruah represents the changing of the simple sound to create the many faceted existence. What is new about the Teruah is not the sound, but the interruptions to the sound. It is the same sound, but it is blocked now and then resulting in many sounds. The Teruah is a multi-faceted Tekiah.
This is the meaning of the verse עלה אלוקים בתרועה ה' בקול שופר. The Tetragrammaton which represents the unlimited force of God, is the simple sound of the Shofar, the Teruah is represented by the name Elokim, the name of limitation.
חגי תשרי ע"ג
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