How to Care for & Clean a Shofar
A shofar is an instrument made from the horn of an animal, typically a ram. Synagogues haves shofars played during Jewish observances such as Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Many people have their own shofars and enjoy playing this instrument, but do not know how to properly care for or clean it. The strong odor of the instrument is surprising to many people, but the fact remains that the shofar is an animal's horn, retaining some of the tissue. With proper cleaning and care, however, the odor will be removed. The steps are simple and designed to keep the shofar in good condition for many years to come.
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Things You'll Need
- Soft cloth or foam ball
- Ear plug
- Fish tank gravel
- Rubbing alcohol
- Frankincense and myrrh
Instructions
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Seal the mouthpiece of the shofar with an ear plug. Make sure the seal is tight, so nothing can seep out while cleaning.
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Pour the fish tank gravel into the bell end of the shofar. Use enough gravel to fill the inside, so it can be shaken.
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Plug the bell end of the shofar with a soft cloth or foam ball, making sure the seal is tight to prevent any leakage of the gravel.
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Shake the shofar for around 15 minutes. This will loosen any remnants of the animal that are still attached to the horn.
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Remove the soft cloth or foam ball from the bell end. Pour the gravel into the garbage.
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Pour about a cup of alcohol into the shofar and replace the soft cloth or foam ball on the bell end. Shake the alcohol for around one minute. The alcohol should remove any remaining odors lingering in the horn.
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Remove the ball again and pour out all the alcohol. Remove the earplug as well. Now the shofar needs to dry out, so you can just let it air dry.
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Oil both ends of the shofar with frankincense and myrrh. This not only keeps the smell pleasant, but serves to protect the horn from cracks that can develop.
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Tips & Warnings
Clean the shofar when it starts to smell again or after long periods of use. Oil frequently to prevent cracks. Store the shofar in open air, away from high heat that can cause the horn to prematurely dry out and crack. Do not store in a bag or confined area.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit neue synagogue berlin image by Jeff from Fotolia.com
