Shofar, Judaism
The Shofar is the world earliest wind instrument, and has not changed in more than 5,000 years. It is usually made from a hollowed out ram’s horn but can be from other animals’ horns. (This one is a ram’s horn.)
In Biblical times the shofar was blown to announce an important event. It is believed to have been blown when Moses was given the 10 commandments at Mount Sinai. The shofar is blown 100 times during the morning service of the two days of Rosh Hashanah. It reminds Jews everywhere of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac, his son, and it heralds the start of the ten day period of the Days of Awe, or Repentance, ending with Yom Kippur.
Length:16cm
Length:16cm
The Shofar is the world earliest wind instrument, and has not changed in more than 5,000 years. It is usually made from a hollowed out ram’s horn but can be from other animals’ horns. (This one is a ram’s horn.)
In Biblical times the shofar was blown to announce an important event. It is believed to have been blown when Moses was given the 10 commandments at Mount Sinai. The shofar is blown 100 times during the morning service of the two days of Rosh Hashanah. It reminds Jews everywhere of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac, his son, and it heralds the start of the ten day period of the Days of Awe, or Repentance, ending with Yom Kippur.
- Term:
- Description:
- Rosh Hashanah
- Jewish New Year, and also the Day of Judgment, the Day of Remembrance, and the Day of Shofar Blowing.
- Yom Kippur
- The end of the 10 day period known as the Days of Awe. It is a day of fasting, reflection and repentance. The Shofar is blown at the end of the day. Yom Kippur is the highest day in the Jewish calendar.
