High Holiday Special

Yemenite Shofars

Basic Description

High quality Yemenite shofars handcrafted in Israel, every shofar has gone through a strict veterinarian sterilization process, meets all Jewish Law requierments and is certified kosher . In addition our shofars are pre-tested for ease of use. Unlike regular shofars or rams horns, the Yemenite shofar is the ancient shofar which was brought into Israel from Africa it comes from the African Kudu or Antelope whereas the smaller shofars come from a sheep or goat. The Yemenite shofar is more spiraled and bigger in size and Coloration varies naturally.

History, significance and uses of the Shofar

The shofar is mentioned frequently in the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud and rabbinic literature. The blast of a shofar emanating from the thick cloud on Mount Sinai made the Israelites tremble in awe (Exodus 19, 20).

The shofar was used in to announce holidays and the Jubilee year. The first day of the seventh month (Tishri) is termed "a memorial of blowing", or "a day of blowing". It was also employed in processions, as a musical accompaniment and to signify the start of a war.

The Torah describes the first day of the seventh month (1st of Tishri = Rosh ha-Shanah) as a zikron teruah (memorial of blowing; Lev. xxiii) and as a yom teru'ah (day of blowing; Num. 29). This was interpreted by the
Jewish sages as referring to the sounding the shofar.

The shofar was blown in the times of Joshua to help him capture Jericho. As they surrounded the walls, the shofar was blown and the Jews were able to capture the city. The shofar was commonly taken out to war so the troops would know when a battle would begin. The person who would blow the shofar would call out to the troops from atop a hill. All of the troops were able to hear the call of the shofar from their position because of its distinct noise.

The shofar is used mainly on Rosh Hashanah, Indeed, Rosh Hashanah is called "Yom T’ruah" (the day of the shofar blast) and onYom Kippur The day of atonement. It is blown in synagogues to mark the end of the fast
at Yom Kippur, and blown at four particular occasions in the prayers on Rosh Hashanah. Because of its inherent ties to the Days of Repentance and the inspiration that comes along with hearing its piercing blasts. The shofar says, "Wake up from your (moral) sleep. You are asleep. Get up from your slumber. You are in a deep sleep. Search for your behavior. Become the best person you can. Remember God, the One Who created you.

The shofar is a very important element in the worship experience of the Jewish community. It also has great significance for Christians, for the references in the Apostolic Scriptures to the trumpet most certainly refer to the shofar. When John spoke of seven trumpets in Revelation and when Paul wrote about the last trumpet that signals the resurrection, they were talking about the shofar.