The call of the shofar is distinctive and recognized by Jewish people around the world. Today, blowing the shofar in worship is a significant part of certain Jewish holidays, yet historically it had more uses.
In ancient days, the sound of the shofar horn was heard much more often than it is today. In fact, they would often blow the shofar to signal a variety of events such as the start of a fast, a celebration of victory, a declaration of war, the beginning of a holiday, or just as a musical instrument.
The tradition, or ‘commandment’, requires Jews to hear the shofar sounds, rather than requiring us to blow the horn ourselves. Some people believe it is an alarm to wake us up and turn our lives around, while others see it as piercing the shell that may have hardened around our hearts in the past year. It has also been thought by some to remind us to look inside the repent for the past year’s sins.
What is a shofar?
It’s a bugle-like instrument made from an animal horn, usually a ram or other kosher animal, that is used in certain Jewish religious ceremonies.
Interestingly, the shofar is one of the world’s oldest unchanged instruments that is used still in use today.
When is the shofar blown in modern times?
Today, blowing the shofar in worship is done:
- Elul: The shofar is blown once daily during the month of Elul, the month preceding the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur)
- Rosh Hashanah: The shofar is blown up to 100 times in varying ways during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and the start of the 10 days of Awe.
- Yom Kippur: The shofar blows once at the end of the holiday, signifying the end of the Days of Awe.
Blowing the shofar in worship: the 4 sounds of the shofar
Blowing the shofar is a skill that requires mastery of three shofar-blowing techniques. These produce either a long, a medium, or a staccato-type blast. However, it is more often said that there are four shofar sounds, although when you listen, you will hear that the last is just a longer version of the first.
These four sounds of the shofar have names:
- Tekiah: One long blast, a summons or wake up.
- Shevarim: Three medium blasts, sometimes compared to the sound of weeping.
- Teruah: Nine blasts as eight quick staccato notes followed by a longer blast that seems to have an alarming urgency about them.
- Tekiah Gedolah: One very long blast that raises in force and volume.
Hear the 4 sounds of the shofar
Be sure your sound is on, and then listen to the 4 sounds of the shofar.
Owning a shofar
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Growing up, we had a beautiful shofar from Israel on display on our mantel. For years it just sat there until the year our rabbi asked my dad to blow the shofar on Yom Kippur. This was a huge honor that required a lot of practice. But he rose to the occasion.
Polished Natural Kudu Horn Shofar
This beautiful shofar was made in Israel by Barsheshet-Ribak according to Yemenite custom and certified Kosher for religious use. It’s made from the horn of a kudu, an African species of antelope so that each one will be unique. Buy this 36-38″ long shofar
Don’t miss our complete shofar buying guide.
Meet the ‘Best Shofar Blower’ of the Modern World
Is it true? Is Robert Weinger really the ”best shofar blower’ of the modern world? Who’s to say, really? Obviously, the reporter thinks so, and Weinger didn’t object to being in the story, but if you read the YouTube comments, you might have a different take on it. Either way, he creates a beautiful sound.
Final thoughts on the shofar
Like so many things in religion, there are seemingly endless discussions as to the significance and importance of the shofar. In fact, My Jewish Learning has listed 10 things the shofar symbolizes.
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Have you heard the sound of the shofar horn?
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I’ve heard the sounds before but the videos play them so well.
I had a Greek born again speaker at a retreat once, and she started each session blowing the shofar. It was such an erry sound, but you sure could feel the Lord all about the meeting place that weekend. I do remember her telling us, than not all people are meant to play the horn, but special people filled with the Holy Spirit. I can understand why watching Rober Weinger and listening to what he spoke about the earthquake…surely a God thing.
Other than that, the sounds of these amazing instruments, tend to have me believing in the end of days, it will be what is used for all the Saints to rise, but it will be for all the world to hear as well. Just my opinion, but knowing that retreat and what all took place spiritually? I believe.
I love to know about your religious thing. i had no idea about it. We use to blow SANKH(Shell) and temple bell in our religion. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful and important part of your culture. I would love to hear the sound of it someday.
I have never heard of this before, what a cool instrument! Looks like a lot of fun to blow.
This is pretty awesome. I’ve never heard of a shofar or what it was used for. It’s very interesting to know how it is used in modern times now.
I love learning something new, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this part of your heritage. I would never have had an opportunity to learn this from anyone in my life.
Hmmm, very informative post! I never heard of Shofar yet, just this time. All I knew is a trumpet.
I LOVE it. It has such a unique sound.
I am religious person but never heard about this. Good to know about things related to shofar and blowing shofar. In our country we use to blow SHANKH in temples.
So interesting! I love learning about other culture and religious traditions!
This is a nice article! I saw this somewhere too! Glad you shared this with us, thank you!
I’ve alway seen these, but I never knew what they were called. They are so cool to me, I feel enlightened.
Wow this is really interesting. I’m not religious so I didn’t know about this, I appreciate the great education.
I have read about shofar but never heard the sound. I liked how you have described it.
This is awesome information. I remember reading about this in my Bible, but never specifics, like types of sounds. And I loved hearing about why it is still used today.
Wow. I love reading about other cultures. Not only the Shofar is intriguing but also the also the occassions associated with it. The notes, does the shape has to do something with the notes? Is this double curve the only available shape?
Next I am going to read your take on the Jewish hieroglyphs. These are awesome. I just loved reading the infos.
That is so interesting. I have seen those but never really knew what they were!