The Shofar, a trumpet or horn, was used in ancient Israel to summon assemblies, to rally troops and signal in wars, to announce important events, and at holidays such as Rosh Hashanah.
In the Bible
The Shofar is mentioned frequently in the Old Testament Hebrew Bible, translated as “trumpet” in the King James translation. Numbers 10 specifies that two Shofarot must be made of silver and used for summoning the assembly, by the sons of Aaron the priests. They should be used to announce gladness, sorrow and to sound alarms. Leviticus 23:24 and Numbers 29:1 specify that the Shofar must be blown on first day of the seventh month (Tishrei) (the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year), which shall be a Sabbath holiday. The book of Joshua, Chapter 6, relates the famous story of how the walls of Jericho were brought down by the blowing of trumpets. The Shofar is also mentioned in Psalms 81, which calls for blowing the Shofar to announce the new moon.
Beyond these well-known passages, the shofar appears over 70 times throughout the Hebrew Bible. In Exodus 19:16, the shofar’s sound at Mount Sinai was so powerful that the entire nation trembled. The prophet Isaiah (27:13) describes the “great shofar” that will herald the ingathering of exiles in the messianic era. In Judges 7, Gideon’s army of 300 men used shofars alongside torches and jars to defeat the Midianite army—demonstrating the shofar’s role as both a spiritual and military instrument.
In Later Times
The Shofar is discussed in the Talmud and later rabbinic writings. Though following the destruction of the temple it was forbidden to play musical instruments, rabbinical authorities ruled that the Shofar is not a musical instrument.
The Talmud dedicates an entire tractate called “Rosh Hashanah” to the laws of shofar blowing. The rabbis debated extensively about which sounds fulfill the biblical commandment, eventually establishing the sequence of blasts still used today. Maimonides, the great 12th-century sage, wrote that the shofar’s call carries an unspoken message: “Awake, sleepers, from your slumber; examine your deeds, return in repentance, and remember your Creator.” Throughout centuries of exile, Jewish communities from Yemen to Poland, from Morocco to Lithuania, preserved the tradition of shofar blowing—each developing slightly different customs while maintaining the core practice.
The Spiritual Significance of the Shofar
The shofar is far more than an ancient instrument—it carries profound spiritual symbolism that resonates with Jewish communities worldwide. The raw, unrefined sound of the shofar represents the soul’s wordless cry to God, a prayer that transcends language. Unlike other instruments that produce melodic tunes, the shofar’s primal blast connects the listener directly to something ancient and elemental.
Jewish tradition identifies ten reasons for blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, including: coronating God as King of the universe, awakening the soul to repentance, recalling the revelation at Sinai, remembering the binding of Isaac (when a ram was sacrificed instead), and anticipating the future redemption. The shofar thus serves as a bridge connecting the Jewish past, present, and future.
Making a Shofar
It is usually fashioned from ram’s horn, but it can also be made from the horns of other animals, including antelope, gazelle and goats, provided only that the animal is kosher, and the horn is hollow and curved, and that the animal is not of the bovine family. Cow horn cannot be used for a Shofar according to many authorities, as it is considered to be a Keren, which has a different purpose.
The horn is flattened and worked by applying heat to soften it. A hole is bored from the tip of the horn to the natural hollow inside.
The process of crafting a kosher shofar requires considerable skill and expertise passed down through generations. After the horn is removed from the animal, it must be cleaned thoroughly—the inner cartilage is removed, and the horn is boiled or heated to soften it for shaping. The craftsman then carefully straightens and shapes the horn while maintaining its natural curve. The mouthpiece is formed by drilling through the solid tip to connect with the hollow interior. Each shofar is tested for sound quality, as even small imperfections can affect the tone. A crack, hole, or patch renders a shofar unkosher for ritual use. The entire process, from raw horn to finished shofar, can take several days of careful work.
Types of Shofars
There are several distinct types of shofars, each with unique characteristics:
Ram’s Horn Shofar (Ashkenazi) – The most traditional and widely used type, made from a domestic ram. These shofars are typically curved and range from 10 to 20 inches in length. They produce a sharp, clear sound and are the standard choice in most synagogues worldwide.
Yemenite Kudu Shofar – Made from the horn of the African kudu antelope, these impressive shofars feature a distinctive spiral shape and can reach lengths of 24 to 50+ inches. They produce a deeper, more resonant sound and are particularly popular in Sephardic and Yemenite communities. Their dramatic appearance makes them popular for synagogue use and ceremonial occasions.
Gemsbok Shofar – A straight shofar made from the gemsbok (South African oryx), these are less common but prized for their unique straight shape and powerful sound projection.
Decorated Shofars – Some shofars are enhanced with silver plating, hand-painted designs, or artistic engravings. While beautiful for display and gifts, the decoration must not affect the shofar’s kosher status—the sound must still emerge naturally from the horn itself.
Playing the Shofar
It is played much like a valve-less European trumpet or other brass instrument. The lips are pursed and applied to the hole, and the player blows into it, making the air column inside vibrate. In Ashkenazic Jewish worship, the Shofar usually has no carved mouthpiece, Sephardic Jewish Shofarot often have a carved mouthpiece, like that of a European trumpet or French horn.
Learning to blow a shofar requires patience and practice. Beginners often struggle to produce any sound at all, as the technique differs from simply blowing air. The key is creating a “buzz” with the lips—similar to making a raspberry sound—while directing air through the narrow mouthpiece. Most experienced shofar blowers position the mouthpiece at the corner of their mouth rather than the center, as this allows for better control and endurance during long blowing sessions.
Tips for beginners: Start by practicing the lip buzz without the shofar. Once you can sustain the buzz, try the shofar with short bursts. Keep your cheeks firm (not puffed out), and use diaphragm breathing for power. Don’t be discouraged—many people take weeks or months to produce a clear, strong sound. With consistent practice, the sounds will come.
Blowing the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah
There are three types of sounds produced in ritual use of the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah: Tekiah, Teruah and Shevarim. The Tekiah and Teruah sounds are respectively bass and treble. The Tekiah should be a simple deep brief sound, and the Teruah is a trill between two tekiot (plural of Tekiah). The Shevarim are composed of three connected short sounds.
The sequence of blowing the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah is Tekiah, Shevarim-Teruah, Tekiah; Tekiah, Shevarim, Tekiah; Tekiah, Teruah, followed by a final blast of “Tekiah gedola,” a long Tekiah, held as long as possible. This is repeated twice more, making thirty sounds for the series, with Tekiah being one note, Shevarim three, and Teruah nine. The thirty sounds are repeated twice more, making ninety sounds in all. The person who performs the Shofar blasts is specially trained and is called a Tokeah.
The total of 100 shofar blasts heard on Rosh Hashanah corresponds to various mystical interpretations, including the 100 cries of the mother of Sisera (a biblical enemy general) who wept when her son did not return from battle. The shofar is not blown when Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat, as carrying the shofar in public would violate Sabbath restrictions.
When Else is the Shofar Blown?
While Rosh Hashanah is the most well-known occasion for shofar blowing, the instrument is used at other significant times:
- Yom Kippur – A single long blast (Tekiah Gedolah) marks the end of the fast and the conclusion of the Day of Atonement.
- Month of Elul – The shofar is blown daily during the month preceding Rosh Hashanah as a call to repentance and spiritual preparation.
- Jubilee Year – In ancient Israel, the shofar announced the Jubilee (every 50 years), when slaves were freed and land returned to original owners.
- Excommunication ceremonies – Historically, the shofar was blown during formal excommunication (cherem) proceedings.
- Funerals and fasts – Some communities blow the shofar at funerals of great rabbis or during public fasts.
Caring for Your Shofar
A quality shofar can last for generations with proper care:
- Storage – Keep your shofar in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. A padded shofar bag provides protection from dust and accidental damage.
- Cleaning – After use, tap out any moisture from the mouthpiece. Never use water or cleaning solutions inside the shofar, as this can damage the horn and affect sound quality.
- Odor – A natural horn smell is normal and indicates authenticity. If the odor is bothersome, specialized shofar deodorizer sprays are available.
- Inspection – Periodically check for cracks or damage. A cracked shofar may be unkosher for ritual use.
Choosing the Right Shofar
When selecting a shofar, consider these factors:
- Purpose – Personal practice, synagogue use, or decorative display each have different requirements.
- Size – Larger shofars generally produce deeper sounds but require more breath control. Beginners often find medium-sized shofars easier to blow.
- Type – Ram’s horn for traditional use, Yemenite for impressive sound and appearance.
- Finish – Natural finish shows the horn’s original texture; polished finish offers a smooth, refined look.
- Certification – For ritual use, ensure the shofar comes with kosher certification from a reliable source.
Want to learn more about the shofar’s life-changing message and practical tips for families? Read our detailed guide: Shofar Guide: What Every Family Should Know.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shofar
What animal does a shofar come from?
A shofar is traditionally made from a ram’s horn, though horns from other kosher animals like kudu (African antelope), goat, or gazelle may also be used. The only exception is cattle—cow horns cannot be used for a kosher shofar.
Why is the shofar blown on Rosh Hashanah?
The shofar serves as a spiritual wake-up call, reminding Jews to examine their deeds and return to God. It also commemorates the binding of Isaac, when a ram was sacrificed in his place, and recalls the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
What are the different shofar blasts called?
There are three main sounds: Tekiah (one long blast), Shevarim (three medium blasts), and Teruah (nine short staccato blasts). The sequence concludes with Tekiah Gedolah, an extended blast held as long as possible.
What is the difference between a ram’s horn and Yemenite shofar?
A ram’s horn shofar is curved and typically 10-20 inches long. A Yemenite shofar is made from a kudu horn, featuring an impressive spiral shape and can reach 24-50+ inches, producing a deeper, more resonant sound.
How do I learn to blow a shofar?
Place the narrow end against your lips (some use the corner of the mouth), keep your lips tight, and blow air while creating a buzzing vibration—similar to playing a trumpet. Start with short blasts and practice regularly to build strength and control.
