Shofar – The Jewish Trumpet

The Shofar is one of the most recognizable items relating to Judaism. Made from a Ram’s horn that has been cleaned out, the sound is so distinct that it can be identified easily. Below is a list of places where the Shofar was blown, both well-known instance and more obscure instances.

1. Rosh HaShana. The Shofar is most closely identified with Rosh HaShana, the beginning of the Jewish year, because it is the main mitzvah, or commandment, that is performed on that day. In addition, during Rosh HaShana, the Jews reaccept G-d as the creator of mankind and all living creatures, both physical and spiritual. In this way, aside for commonly known explanation that the blowing of the Shofar as a way to assist in our repentance, the blowing of the Shofar is almost like the blowing of a trumpet at a coronation ceremony.

2. The Month Leading up to Rosh HaShana. During the month preceding Rosh HaShana on the Jewish calendar, Elul, the Shofar is blown in order to remind Jews that Rosh HaShana is fast approaching and they should start repenting for their sins and thus start the year on a positive note.

3. Declaration of the Jubilee Year. Every 50 years on the Jewish calendar is the Jubilee Year, or Shnat Yovel in Hebrew. During this year during biblical times, slaves were declared freed, debts were forgiven and land sold out of financial duress returned to its original owner. The Jubilee Year was declared by the blowing of the Shofar on Yom Kippur.

4. Yom Kippur. In addition to being historically blown on Yom Kippur to usher in the Jubilee Year, the Shofar was also blown to indicate the end of Yom Kippur and that the Jew’s collective sins had been forgiven. In the modern day where there is no Jubiliee Year, the Shofar is still blown at the end of Yom Kippur and indicates that the day has ended and that G-d has forgiven whatever sins had been committed during the previous year.

5. Special Prayer Services during Periods of Communal Distress. There is a long standing tradition that whenever situations in which the Jews are persecuted arise and we turn to G-d for salvation, the Shofar is blown. This is linked to the biblical verse in the Book of Numbers in which it states "If an oppressor shall oppress you, you shall blow the trumpets and you will be saved from your enemies." Since the trumpets used in the Temple are no longer, a Shofar is blown as a reminder of the trumpets and to ask G-d to heed those prayers and send salvation.

6. Recapture of Jerusalem in 1967. In 1967, following the recapture of the Old City of Jerusalem, Rabbi Shlomo Goren blew the Shofar as an indication that the Jews had retaken their city and the holiest site in Judaism.

7. War. Over the course of Jewish history prior to exile, whenever the Jews went out to war a Shofar was blown to call the troops out to war. Since the Shofar has a distinct sound, troops knew when to go out to fight.

8. Historical Capture of the City of Jericho. When the Jews first entered Israel and embarked on their conquest of the land of Israel, one of the first cities to be taken was Jericho. During this specific conquest, the Shofar was used exclusively as a miracle occurred and the noise from the Shofar caused the walls surrounding Jericho to fall, thus enabling the Jews to take the city.