Answer: The Tur (OC 581) provides two reasons for the minhag of
blowing the shofar throughout the month of Elul. According to Pirkei
Derebbi Eliezer (46), the shofar was sounded in the camp when Moshe
ascended Har Sinai on Rosh Chodesh Elul to receive the second set of luchos.
Chazal instituted the blowing of the shofar on Rosh Chodesh to
commemorate this event. The Tur adds that the practice continues throughout
Elul to inspire us toward teshuva
(see Rambam, Teshuva 3:4) and to confuse the Satan.
R’ Ephraim Greenblatt (Rivevos Ephraim 1:394; 8:523:4) cites
R’ Avraham Yitzchak Kook (Mitzvas Ra’ayah 581:1) who offers an additional
reason. Just as we are required to begin studying the halachos of Yom
Tov thirty days in advance (Pesachim 6a), we similarly begin practicing shofar
blowing thirty days before Rosh Hashanah.
Given these reasons, R’ Greenblatt discusses whether an
individual davening alone should make an effort to hear the shofar.
He concludes that it is not necessary.
R’ Eliezer Waldenberg (Tzitz Eliezer 12:48) likewise notes
that the pesukim referring to the shofar being blown, describe it
being blown in the ‘camp’ and in the ‘city.’ Therefore, an individual davening
alone does not need to blow the shofar.
In conclusion, there is no requirement to blow the shofar
during Elul when not in the presence of a minyan.
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