What is a Shofar Made Of?

A shofar is traditionally made from the horn of a kosher animal—usually a ram's horn—symbolizing the ram in the biblical story of the Binding of Isaac.

The horn is hollowed out, cleaned, and heated to allow shaping. The tip is then cut to create a mouthpiece. No artificial materials are added—its sound comes purely from the natural horn, crafted with care to preserve its spiritual and historical significance.

There are five main types of shofars: ram's horn shofars, Yemenite kudu shofars, gemsbok oryx shofars, eland horn shofars, and decorated shofars.

Ram's horn shofars have been historically the most widely available to most Jewish communities in the Land of Israel and throughout the diaspora. They come in a variety of sizes and natural colors, and are the iconic shofar "look" that many people associate with the High Holidays.

Yemenite kudu shofars are made from kudus, a type of antelope that is abundant in East Africa. They have been historically utilized by Yemenite Jews, and when this community immigrated to Israel they shared these long, majestic, spiral shofars with the rest of world Jewry. They have since become beloved and popular all over the world because of their iconic and thundering sound.

Gemsbok oryx shofars are uniquely straight and ribbed and exotic, coming from a type of antelope that's more prevalent in southern Africa and some parts of the Arabian Peninsula.

Eland horn shofars are also less widely-used, although also originating in Africa. They have a uniquely twisted shape and boast multiple shades of brown.

Decorated shofars can be sourced from any of the above animals, but rather than boasting a natural finish, these beautiful horns are either silver-plated or hand-painted. They're often adorned with Jewish symbols like Jerusalem motifs, the Star of David, or the Lion of Judah.

Historical and Biblical Significance of the Shofar

The shofar in the Bible holds deep historical and spiritual significance, serving as both a divine instrument and a symbol of sacred moments in Jewish history. One of the earliest and most powerful mentions is in Exodus 19:16, where the shofar blast heralds God's descent onto Mount Sinai, signaling the giving of the Ten Commandments. It was also used in Joshua 6:4–5, when the Israelites circled the walls of Jericho and brought them down with the sounding of the shofar. These events highlight the shofar in its role as a tool of both divine revelation and miraculous intervention.

Historically, the shofar played a central role in ancient Jewish traditions. It was used to announce the beginning of festivals, especially Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, where its sound calls people to spiritual reflection and repentance. On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a long blast of the shofar marks the end of the fast. Beyond religious observances, the shofar in the Bible and in historical record was also a practical tool—used to signal alarm, gather the community, or proclaim the coronation of a king, as seen in 1 Kings 1:34.

The shofar remains a powerful symbol of awakening, renewal, and divine presence. From the trembling blasts at Mount Sinai to the prophetic visions in Isaiah 27:13, the shofar has carried the voice of faith through centuries. Its enduring presence in Jewish tradition today reflects a continuous link between past and present, echoing the spiritual heartbeat of the Jewish people.

The Meaning and Symbolism of the Shofar

The shofar meaning in Jewish tradition goes far beyond its role as a ritual instrument—it carries profound spiritual and symbolic weight. Blown primarily during the High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the shofar serves as a wake-up call for the soul, urging individuals to reflect, repent, and return to God. Its raw, primal sound pierces the heart, symbolizing a direct connection between humanity and the Divine. According to Jewish thought, the shofar bypasses words, reaching a place in the soul that speech cannot.

Each of the traditional shofar blasts—Tekiah (a long, steady note), Shevarim (three short, broken sounds), and Teruah (a series of quick, trembling notes)—has symbolic interpretations. Tekiah represents a call to order and stability, Shevarim echoes the brokenness of the human spirit, and Teruah signifies a sense of urgency and alarm.

Together, the shofar blasts of Rosh Hashanah mirror the spiritual journey of repentance: awakening, introspection, and the desire to change. The blowing shofar meaning is therefore both deeply personal and universally communal, calling every Jew to reconnect with their identity and purpose.

In Jewish theology, the shofar is also seen as a symbol of redemption and divine presence. It is believed that a great shofar blast will one day announce the coming of the Messiah and the ultimate gathering of the Jewish people (Isaiah 27:13). Thus, the shofar not only connects Jews to our past and present but also points toward hope for the future. Its sound, timeless and stirring, continues to embody the enduring covenant between God and the Jewish people.

The Shofar and Rosh Hashanah

The shofar plays a central and powerful role in the observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It serves as a spiritual alarm clock, awakening the soul to reflect, repent, and return to God during this time of judgment and renewal. Its blasts are meant to stir the heart and inspire inner transformation, reminding listeners of the binding of Isaac, the giving of the Torah, and future redemption and renewal. The shofar is not just a ritual—it's a sacred summons to reconnect with one's divine purpose and begin the Jewish New Year with clarity and intention.

How many times is the shofar blown on Rosh Hashanah?

The answer is 100 blasts during each day of the holiday, though the number can vary slightly by custom. These shofar blasts follow a specific sequence using three primary sounds: Tekiah (a long, steady note), Shevarim (three short, broken sounds), and Teruah (nine rapid bursts), culminating in the powerful Tekiah Gedolah, a long final blast meant to stir the deepest parts of the soul.

These different shofar sounds symbolize the spiritual stages of awakening, repentance, and hope.

When is the shofar blown on Rosh Hashanah?

It is typically blown during the morning service (Shacharit), specifically during the Musaf portion, which includes special liturgical sections dedicated to kingship (Malchuyot), remembrance (Zichronot), and the shofar itself (Shofarot). These themes reflect God’s sovereignty, His awareness of all deeds, and the historic and future role of the shofar in divine revelation and redemption.

Through its ancient, wordless cry, the shofar encapsulates the essence of Rosh Hashanah—a call to self-examination, renewal, and a return to the sacred.

It's Time to Get Your Own Shofar!

The shofar is an ancient musical instrument made from a ram’s horn, deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and biblical history. Used for millennia during sacred events like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, its stirring sound calls for reflection, renewal, and connection to God. More than just a ritual object, the shofar embodies the enduring spirit of the Jewish people and their covenant with the Divine.

Owning a handmade shofar from Israel, crafted according to time-honored methods, is a powerful way to bring this tradition into your home. Whether for personal reflection, ceremonial use, or as a meaningful gift or piece of Jewish home decor, a shofar is a timeless symbol of faith and heritage.

Shop shofars now and bring the authentic voice of Jewish tradition and the Land of Israel into your life!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Shofar

1. Why is the shofar blown on Rosh Hashanah?
   The shofar is blown on Rosh Hashanah as a spiritual wake-up call, signaling the start of the Jewish New Year. This ancient tradition encourages reflection, repentance, and renewal. The sound of the shofar horn reminds us of the biblical story of the Binding of Isaac and calls people to return to their faith and values. Blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah is one of the central commandments of the holiday.
2. What does a shofar sound like?
   The sound of the shofar horn is raw and powerful, often described as a mix of wails, blasts, and sobs. Each blast has its own unique rhythm and meaning, evoking a range of emotions. When you blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, it’s meant to stir the soul and inspire spiritual awakening. The shofar instrument doesn’t produce music like a traditional horn but instead delivers deeply symbolic and meaningful sounds.
3. How many times is the shofar blown on Rosh Hashanah?
   Traditionally, the shofar is blown on Rosh Hashanah 100 times during synagogue services. These blasts follow a specific pattern made up of three types of notes—Tekiah, Shevarim, and Teruah. The purpose of blowing the shofar so many times is to fulfill religious obligations and deeply connect the listener to the meaning of the day through the shofar horn’s ancient and stirring sound.
4. When is the shofar blown on Rosh Hashanah?
   The shofar is blown on Rosh Hashanah during the morning prayer service, specifically after the Torah reading. This timing is rooted in tradition and maximizes the spiritual impact of the shofar instrument. If one of the two days of the Rosh Hashanah holiday falls on Shabbat, the shofar is not blown on that day in most communities, in accordance with Jewish law. Hearing someone blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah is a highlight of the holiday for many.
5. What is the difference between a shofar and a trumpet?
   While both the shofar horn and a trumpet are wind instruments, their origins, purposes, and sounds are very different. The shofar instrument is traditionally made from a ram’s horn and has been used in Jewish rituals for thousands of years, especially to blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. A trumpet, by contrast, is a man-made brass instrument used primarily in musical contexts, producing a more refined and controlled sound, and doesn't have a specific Jewish ritual role.
6. Can anyone blow a shofar?
   Yes, technically anyone can blow the shofar, but doing so properly takes practice and understanding of the traditional sounds. On Rosh Hashanah, the person who blows the shofar—often called the ba’al tekiah—is usually someone knowledgeable in Jewish law and skilled with the shofar instrument. Blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah is a sacred act that carries deep spiritual meaning, so it is typically performed by someone prepared for the responsibility.