Types of Shofars
There are three popular varieties: Ram's horn, Yemenite and Gemsbok.
Ram's Horn Shofar
The Ram's horn Shofar is the classical ritual Shofar. The ram's horn Shofar was a very common motif in ancient Jewish art, shown in reliefs, capitals, floor mosaics and various implements. It was often depicted near the base of the seven-branched Menorah, sometimes shown with other ritual items such as the incense-bowl, the lulav (palm branch) and the etrog (citron). The use of the ram's horn in making the Shofar is said to commemorate the ram that was caught in the thicket and served as a substitute when Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his son Isaac. Maimonides (Rambam) ruled that a Shofar made from the horn of any other animal is not suitable for ritual purposes.
Yemenite Shofar
Yemenites traditionally use a special, very long Shofar made of the horn of the Greater African kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros, a large striped animal of the antelope family. The kudu reputedly has the biggest horns of any creature, certainly longer than the Ram. Yemenite kudu horn Shofarot are often beautifully polished. Longer Shofarot allow the playing of more notes. Some believe that the kudu horn of the Yemenite Shofar was the original one, which was brought from Africa to the land of Israel.
Gemsbok Shofar
The horn of the Gemsbok or Gemsbuck, an animal of the antelope family, the Southern African Oryx, Oryx Gazella, is coming into increasing use for Shofarot. These animals have spectacular horns that may reach over 85 cm in length. Gemsbok Shofars are straight and long and do not have an objectionable odor as do some other types of Shofarot.
Where to Buy Shofar
Be sure to check our collection and shofar sale category, we carry only the highest quality shofars.
Guides: How to blow a shofar | How to clean and eliminate shofar odor
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