What Is a Shofar Used for?
A shofar is a ram's horn that has been hollowed out to form a wind instrument. It is used ritually in the days leading up to and during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (the High Holidays).
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History
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In Biblical times, the shofar was used to announce the new month, holidays and the Jubilee year. It also was used to communicate in battle.
Function
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Nowadays, the shofar is blown primarily on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, and after morning services for the month before Rosh Hashana. It is blown in certain prescribed patterns, and for Rosh Hashana, 100 blasts are blown.
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Sounds
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Jewish ritual calls for the shofar-blower to make three basic sounds: tekiah is a single long blast; shevarim consists of three shorter blasts; and teruah consists of nine staccato blasts (all in one breath). Tekiah gedolah is a modification of a tekiah, which makes it last even longer.
Types
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Shofars vary in length, from about 1 foot to more than 3 feet long. They can be made from several different animals, including gazelles and antelopes, although a ram's horn is used most often.
Warning
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Because a shofar is made from an animal, it can develop a bad smell if it is not properly maintained. Clean it with bleach and water and dry it well to kill the bacteria that feed on the animal tissue.
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