Who is Qualified to Sound the Shofar?

The Shulchan Aruch begins its exploration of fitness by citing excluding classes of people:

1. A Baal Tekiah can perform this mitzvah again, if no one else is available who is qualified. If one does have such an obligation (such as women who are not required to abide by time-bound mitzvot, can't perform the mitzvah. [ Mishna Berura 589:1 (1)] The Rabbi's reasoned that If perform a mitzvah, have an obligation to help another perfect his own obligation because all Israel responsible for one another.

2. The mitzvah is not valid for a deaf mute (cannot hear), moron (lacks the capacity) and a child (lacks the adult status). Women are exempt because the mitzvah is time-bound. If a person has a certain level of obligation, such as a woman, then she performs that obligation. The problem between men and women comes when there are different levels of obligations. Men cannot no waive time-bound mitzvahs.

3. A hermaphrodite may make his Shofar sounding serve for other hermaphrodites

4. Women should not be Baal Tekia's because they would be substituting her efforts for another whose duty it is to perform a mitzvah. However, if a female Baala Tekiya has already intoned the Shofar for other women, it is valid. However, women should not make a blessing.

5. Only a freeman (not even a slave who will become free in the next month) can be a Baal Tekiya. (Shulchan Aruch 590:1-5)

Generally, a person fit to sound the Shofar is a male adult who is obligated to perform the mitzvah of sounding the Shofar. ( cUh¦j RC ) . His repeat performance does not serve to relieve others of that obligation. (Shulchan Aruch 589:1)

Being a Baal Tekiya (Shofar Sounder) is an honor.

The one who blows the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah . . . should likewise be learned in the Torah and shall be God-fearing; the best man available. Nevertheless, every Jew is eligible for any sacred office, providing he is acceptable to the congregation. If, however, he sees that his choice will cause disruption, he should withdraw his candidacy, even if the improper person will be chosen. Shulchan Aruch 3:72.

Moreover, the Baal Tekiya shall abstain from anything that may cause ritual contamination for three days prior to Rosh Hashanah. Shulchan Aruch 3:73

A Baal Tekiya can sound the shofar for shut-ins, hospital patients and home-bound women who had recently given birth.

If a blind blower was dismissed, but the community did not find a blower as proficient, he should be appointed as community blower. The touchstone is proficiency not disability. (Radbaz)

Who is Fit to Blow the Shofar?

In addition, a deaf-mute, moron and child are not required to hear the Shofar. However, if a hard of hearing person can hear through an assistive device, he is permitted to sound the shofar. [Mishna Berura 591:1 (2)]

An Onan (one who is not yet in mourning but whose parent has died but not been buried), not required. R. Kolbo - compiler and halachist of prayer book

The Rema ruled if one cannot speak but can hear, then obligated (Mishna Berura589:1 (2)

A hermaphrodite may make his blowing serve other hermaphrodite (his own kind) If a male person heard the blasts form a hermaphrodite or indeterminate sex, should be blown again, without prayer. 587:4 (5) In any event, even if a hermaphrodite sound the Shofar, he shall not offer a prayer (Magen Avraham, commentator on the Shulchan Aruch)

A partial slave and partial freeman cannot sound the Shofar because one half can't act for the other half. (SA 587:8)

There are general exceptions to this rule of exclusion: a person who perform mitzvahs w/o obligation will receive reward (SA 587:7); and a child is also able to blow Shofar on RH even initially in order to be educated to performance of mitzvah. (Shulchan Aruch 587:9; Mishna Berura 596 gloss -- a child must be educated in Shofar even after Shofar notes are sounded)

See Arthur L. Finkle, Easy Guide to Shofar Sounding, Torah Aura, LA, 2002

For more information about Holy Temple instruments.

We have three websites

1) Shofar Sounders WebPage

http://shofar221.com

2) Joint Effort with Michael Chusid,an expert Shofar sounder and commentator

http://www.hearingshofar.com

3) Shofar WebPage

http://shofar-sounders.com

If you have any questions or comments, do not hesitate to ask.

Art Finkle and Michael Chusid

Shofar19067@hotmail.com & Michael@chusid.com

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