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| The Sound of the Shofar BY RABBI ESTHER BOUCHER |
The Shofar is a plain ram’s horn that is blown every morning during the month
of Elul.
The sounds of the Shofar are awe-inspiring. It touches off our heart-felt
feelings of repentance, broken heartedness and humility. The sounds of the
Shofar, handed down by tradition, sound very much like the broken sobs and
sighs of someone crying.
There are three main sounds, which are blown. The Tekiah is a straight blast.
The Shevarim are three broken blasts and finally the Teruah are nine or more
broken sounds.
The ram’s horn is curved to remind us to blow in repentance and that our
hearts should bend toward our heavenly Father. The sounds are to stir deep
regret for any wrongs we have committed.
In the Scriptures, the Shofar was used on very solemn occasions. We first find
the name Shofar mentioned in connection with Mt. Sinai, when “the voice of
the Shofar was exceedingly strong, and all the people that were in the camp
trembled.” So when we hear the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah it is to remind us
of our acceptance of the Torah and our obligation under its laws. It is a signal
for us to break the shackles of sin, so that we can start a new life with a pure
heart attuned to the service of G-d and our fellow man.
The Shofar is made out of an animal horn. Any horn may be used except the
horn of a cow or bull because they are referred to as “Keren” and are a
reminder of the Golden Calf, which the children of Israel had made in the
desert. It is preferably made out of a ram’s horn in memory of the ram, which
was offered in Isaac’s stead, when he allowed himself to be bound and placed
on the altar as a sacrifice to G-d.
There are ten messages of the Shofar explained by RAV Saadiah Goan. The
first was when a new king began to rule, a proclamation was issued and a
shofar blown. The creation of the world was completed on Rosh Hashanah
according to Jewish tradition; therefore G-d’s rule of the world began. So on
Rosh Hashanah we sound the shofar to re-proclaim His rule. Second, when a
king issues a decree, the horns blow and a warning is issued. The ten days of
Teshuvah (Repentance) begins on Rosh Hashanah thereby we are warned to
improve our ways. Third, when the Torah was received on Mt. Sinai the
sound of the Shofar filled the air. On Rosh Hashanah, we dedicate ourselves
to Torah life again as the sound of the shofar fills the air. Fourth, just like the
words of the prophets rang out like a blast from the shofar, we are reminded
of their correction and reproof. Fifth, when the Temple was destroyed the
enemy blew on their trumpets. On Rosh Hashanah, we pray for the rebuilding
of the Temple (Bet Hamikdash) when we blow the shofar. Sixth, we blow the
shofar to remind ourselves and G-d of our forefathers’ loyal devotion.
Seventh, the shofar makes us tremble in fear of G-d’s judgment and awakens
us to change our ways. Eighth, Rosh Hashana and the sounding of the shofar
remind us of the final Day of Judgment. Ninth, the sound of the shofar
reminds us of HaMashiach’s great horn to gather the Jews scattered about
the globe. Lastly, the shofar reminds us of the day Techiyas Hameisim, when
the dead will rise and Mashiach will redeem us.
The shofar was sounded for assembly of the people, for war, and the jubilee
year. On Rosh Hashahah it is sounded in the following order; 1) Tekiah –
Shevarim – Teruah – Tekiah 2) Tekiah – Shevarim – Tekiah 3) Tekiah – Teruah –
Tekiah. In each case the sounds are repeated three times, making thirty
sounds in all.
To blow the shofar hold it in your right hand facing upward. Gently position it
on the right side of your lips sealing the left side of your mouth with your left
hand. Take a breath, pursing your lips to allow the escaping air to vibrate
your lips against the shofar. When you can control the length of the blasts
you are ready to sound it properly.
The Jewish sages tell us that the time from Rosh-Chodesh (the new month)
Elul unto Rosh Hashanah, the time of the King of Kings, G-d Himself, “goes out
into the field,” to be near and with His people. This is a wonderful time to
draw close to Father G-d and spend time with Yeshua Ha Mashiach our King
and Lord.
of Elul.
The sounds of the Shofar are awe-inspiring. It touches off our heart-felt
feelings of repentance, broken heartedness and humility. The sounds of the
Shofar, handed down by tradition, sound very much like the broken sobs and
sighs of someone crying.
There are three main sounds, which are blown. The Tekiah is a straight blast.
The Shevarim are three broken blasts and finally the Teruah are nine or more
broken sounds.
The ram’s horn is curved to remind us to blow in repentance and that our
hearts should bend toward our heavenly Father. The sounds are to stir deep
regret for any wrongs we have committed.
In the Scriptures, the Shofar was used on very solemn occasions. We first find
the name Shofar mentioned in connection with Mt. Sinai, when “the voice of
the Shofar was exceedingly strong, and all the people that were in the camp
trembled.” So when we hear the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah it is to remind us
of our acceptance of the Torah and our obligation under its laws. It is a signal
for us to break the shackles of sin, so that we can start a new life with a pure
heart attuned to the service of G-d and our fellow man.
The Shofar is made out of an animal horn. Any horn may be used except the
horn of a cow or bull because they are referred to as “Keren” and are a
reminder of the Golden Calf, which the children of Israel had made in the
desert. It is preferably made out of a ram’s horn in memory of the ram, which
was offered in Isaac’s stead, when he allowed himself to be bound and placed
on the altar as a sacrifice to G-d.
There are ten messages of the Shofar explained by RAV Saadiah Goan. The
first was when a new king began to rule, a proclamation was issued and a
shofar blown. The creation of the world was completed on Rosh Hashanah
according to Jewish tradition; therefore G-d’s rule of the world began. So on
Rosh Hashanah we sound the shofar to re-proclaim His rule. Second, when a
king issues a decree, the horns blow and a warning is issued. The ten days of
Teshuvah (Repentance) begins on Rosh Hashanah thereby we are warned to
improve our ways. Third, when the Torah was received on Mt. Sinai the
sound of the Shofar filled the air. On Rosh Hashanah, we dedicate ourselves
to Torah life again as the sound of the shofar fills the air. Fourth, just like the
words of the prophets rang out like a blast from the shofar, we are reminded
of their correction and reproof. Fifth, when the Temple was destroyed the
enemy blew on their trumpets. On Rosh Hashanah, we pray for the rebuilding
of the Temple (Bet Hamikdash) when we blow the shofar. Sixth, we blow the
shofar to remind ourselves and G-d of our forefathers’ loyal devotion.
Seventh, the shofar makes us tremble in fear of G-d’s judgment and awakens
us to change our ways. Eighth, Rosh Hashana and the sounding of the shofar
remind us of the final Day of Judgment. Ninth, the sound of the shofar
reminds us of HaMashiach’s great horn to gather the Jews scattered about
the globe. Lastly, the shofar reminds us of the day Techiyas Hameisim, when
the dead will rise and Mashiach will redeem us.
The shofar was sounded for assembly of the people, for war, and the jubilee
year. On Rosh Hashahah it is sounded in the following order; 1) Tekiah –
Shevarim – Teruah – Tekiah 2) Tekiah – Shevarim – Tekiah 3) Tekiah – Teruah –
Tekiah. In each case the sounds are repeated three times, making thirty
sounds in all.
To blow the shofar hold it in your right hand facing upward. Gently position it
on the right side of your lips sealing the left side of your mouth with your left
hand. Take a breath, pursing your lips to allow the escaping air to vibrate
your lips against the shofar. When you can control the length of the blasts
you are ready to sound it properly.
The Jewish sages tell us that the time from Rosh-Chodesh (the new month)
Elul unto Rosh Hashanah, the time of the King of Kings, G-d Himself, “goes out
into the field,” to be near and with His people. This is a wonderful time to
draw close to Father G-d and spend time with Yeshua Ha Mashiach our King
and Lord.
Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc.Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007
