Bracha on Blowing Shofar the whole month

Question

Why is there no Bracha made on the Blowing of Shofar in Elul, like there is a bracha when one reads the Meggilah on Purim and lights candles on Chanukah (which are also Rabbinic)?

Answer 1

The Megillah and the Chanuka candles are Rabbinical Mitzvot, while blowing Shofar in Elul is merely an Ashkenzic custom (minhag), not a Mitzvah (see Rama on Orach Chaim 581:1). There's all kinds of discussion about which Mitzvot get a blessing and which don't, but in general, minhagim don't get blessings.

Answer 2

The Nois Hadeshe says it is because the blowing the whole month of Elul is partially a preparation for the blowing on Rosh Hashanah, and as the Ran says in Kesubos as to why we don’t make a Bracha on Kiddushin but do on Nissuin because Kiddushin is a preparatory step to the consimation of the Marrige through Nissuin, so to the Blowing in Elul is a preparatory step to the ultimate blowing of the Shofar on Rosh Hashnah itself and Hence blowing the Shofar the whole month of Elul requires no Bracha.