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Making a Shofar
Get the horn from a kosher animal (slaughtered in a kosher way) except that of the cow (because the golden cow was connected with false worship: "It came about, as soon as Moses came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing; and Moses' anger burned, and he threw the tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain." Exodus 32:19) The horn of the cow and ox were also disqualified since they were called "keren" in Hebrew, as opposed to the word Shofar which was applied more commonly to the sheep and goat (Mishnah Rosh Hashanah).
Kosher: Goat - Ram - Antelope - Gazelle - Bighorn sheep, Ibex (according to some this is the same as the wild goat)
Getting the Shofar Ready
The horn is really made of keratin, a natural growth similar to toe nails. The Journal of 'Biological Museum Methods' (Vol. 1 Page 331) suggests boiling the skull with horns for about 2 - 3 hours for the horns to twist off. Then, scrap clean the inside cartilage and sprinkle with borax. Clean out the shell of the horn by boiling of soaking in water and washing soda. The cartilage can be pulled out with the aid of a pick. If the horns are small, the cartilage can be removed in about half an hour.
The Mouthpiece is Crafted
Dry the hollowed out horn completely. Then, with a soft wire, measure how far the hollow of the Shofar extends. Measure one inch farther on the outside and cut the tip off with a coping saw or hacksaw.
Drill a 1/8"hole with an electric drill (I know a Ball Tekiah who uses a dental drill) from the sawed-off end until the bit reaches the hollow of the horn.
Using various bits from an electric modeling set (we use the Dremel M #2 Moto-Tool Set, which looks like a lightweight electric hand drill and comes with about 24 attachments), carve a bell-shaped mouthpiece at the end of the Shofar, similar to the one on a Trumpet. Smooth the edges of the mouthpiece with the electric model tool. The mouthpiece may require modification in size and shape for a particular embouchure.
The Test
Indeed, since all embouchures are different, the Shofar Sounder should test the Shofar in order to make adjustments with the mouthpiece.
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
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Anonymous
The shofar is a ram's horn trumpet, traditionally use in Jewish liturgy. The horn of just about any ruminant except a cow can be used. Ibex horns are impressively long and sonorous, while common sheep horns are short and a bit squeeky sounding. Where are they from? Wherever Jews get their hands on the appropriate horns. A few years ago, we made a batch of shofars here in Iowa. Many are made in Israel and sold as souvenirs to everyone from the seriously religious to random tourists.
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Is a shofar a ancient Greek stringed instrument?
No, that's a harp. A shofar is a Jewish's ram's horn.
When did shofar start?
THE SHOFAR IS PRIMARILY ASSOCIATED WITH ROSH HA‑SHANAH. Indeed, Rosh ha-Shanah is called Yom T'ru'ah (the day of the shofar blast). In the Mishnah (book of early Rabbinic laws derived from the Torah), a discussion centers around the centrality of the shofar in the time before the destruction of the Second Temple (70 C.O. Indeed, the shofar was the center of the ceremony, with two silver trumpets playing a lesser role. On other solemn holidays, fasts, and New Moon celebrations, two silver trumpets were featured, with one shofar playing a lesser role. The shofar is also associated with the Jubilee Year in which, every fifty years, Jewish Law provided for the release of all slaves,land, and debts. The sound of the shofar on Yom Kippur pro-claimed the Jubilee Year that provided the actual release of fi­nancial encumbrances.Halakhah (Jewish Law) rules that the shofar may not be sounded on the Sabbath due to the potential that the Ba'al T'kiyah (Shofar Sounder) may inadvertently carry it, which is ina class of forbidden Sabbath work. (R.H. 29b) The historical ex-planation is that in ancient Israel, the shofar was sounded on the8Shabbat in the Temple located in Jerusalem. After the Temple's de­struction, the sounding of the sho­far on the Sabbath was restricted to the place where the Great Sanhedrin (Jewish legislature and Court from 400 B.C.E. to 100 C.E.) was located. However, when the Sanhedrin ceased to exist, the sounding of the shofar on the Sabbath was discontinued (Kieval, The HighHoly Days, p. 114).Art Finkle
What do you call a Shell used as a trumpet?
A Shofar.
What instrument is used for Rosh Hashhanah?
The shofar
How do you and do you clean a shofar?
Mix a solution of one third vinegar (kosher)with two thirds water. Immerse the whole Shofar in this solution for three to four hours, rinse with clean water. Done. These instructions given to me thirty years ago when I first started blowing the Shofar.
What is the best description of of shofar?
A shofar is a hollowed out horn of an animal that can be played as a wind instrument. It must come from an animal that has cloven hooves, but not from a cow. Typical shofars come from goats, sheep and their relatives. The horn needs to be at least long enough to hold in your fist with one end sticking out on each side, and it can't have a crack in it that prevents it from making a good toot when you blow it. You play a shofar the same way you play a trumpet, by buzzing into the little end with your lips.
When was Shofar of Freedom Award created?
Shofar of Freedom Award was created in 1990.
How do you correctly spell the word Shofar?
The correct spelling is shofar. The plural is shofarot (or shofaros according to the traditional Ashkenazi spelling).
What year was the shofar invented?
The shofar is an ancient communication instrument. It's origins are unknown.
Is a shofar a ancient Greek stringed instrument?
No, that's a harp. A shofar is a Jewish's ram's horn.
Who blew the very first shofar?
The first person to blow the shofar was Moses in 10 BCE
How kosher is Shofar hot dogs?
Shofar hot dogs were made by Best which is no longer in business.
How does shofar mark the end of Yom Kippur?
The guy with the shofar plays it, and then it's over. Now you can eat.
What is shofar religion?
Judaism
When did shofar start?
THE SHOFAR IS PRIMARILY ASSOCIATED WITH ROSH HA‑SHANAH. Indeed, Rosh ha-Shanah is called Yom T'ru'ah (the day of the shofar blast). In the Mishnah (book of early Rabbinic laws derived from the Torah), a discussion centers around the centrality of the shofar in the time before the destruction of the Second Temple (70 C.O. Indeed, the shofar was the center of the ceremony, with two silver trumpets playing a lesser role. On other solemn holidays, fasts, and New Moon celebrations, two silver trumpets were featured, with one shofar playing a lesser role. The shofar is also associated with the Jubilee Year in which, every fifty years, Jewish Law provided for the release of all slaves,land, and debts. The sound of the shofar on Yom Kippur pro-claimed the Jubilee Year that provided the actual release of fi­nancial encumbrances.Halakhah (Jewish Law) rules that the shofar may not be sounded on the Sabbath due to the potential that the Ba'al T'kiyah (Shofar Sounder) may inadvertently carry it, which is ina class of forbidden Sabbath work. (R.H. 29b) The historical ex-planation is that in ancient Israel, the shofar was sounded on the8Shabbat in the Temple located in Jerusalem. After the Temple's de­struction, the sounding of the sho­far on the Sabbath was restricted to the place where the Great Sanhedrin (Jewish legislature and Court from 400 B.C.E. to 100 C.E.) was located. However, when the Sanhedrin ceased to exist, the sounding of the shofar on the Sabbath was discontinued (Kieval, The HighHoly Days, p. 114).Art Finkle
Why do not blow the Shofar on Shabbat?
Blowing the Shofar is a form of musical instrument, and playing musical instruments is generally prohibited on Shabbat to honor the day's rest. However, there are exceptions to this rule, like during the High Holidays when it is allowed to blow the Shofar.
Does the shofar get blown on Shabbat in Israel?
No, it does not.
