THE SHOFAR: A BLAST FROM THE PAST

By: Ben Issler and Katherine Salcedo-Concepcion

Introduction 16 instruments mentioned in the Torah Shofar appears 72 times Mentioned in the Old Testament

Most frequent instrument Instrument developed by the ancient

HebrewsSpecific manufacture instructions given by rabbiMade from Ram’s right hornSmooth HornCrescent shaped

The Shofar

Etymology means “trumpet”

First used in Torah (Exodus 19:16,19)On Mount Sinai Camp trembled with fear

Forms of the Shofar Ritual

Memorial of blowing of trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) Day of Atonement (Leviticus 25:9) Transfer of the Ark (2 Samuel 6:15)

War Walls of Jericho (Josh 6:4,6,8,13)

○ Symbolic meaning○ Perceived as being supernatural

Signal Commands and ceremony (1 Kings 1:34,39) Feast of New Moon (Psalm 81:3) Alarm (Ezekiel 33:3) Solomon’s Succession to the Throne (1 Kings 1:34)

Confounding Evil Solomon's prayer (1 kings 8:37, Leviticus 26:6)

Instrumentation

Two forms:Linear ShofarYemenite Shofar

Calls of the Shofar

Tekiah Teruah Shevarim Tekiah Gedolah Others calls

Rosh Hashanah

Tekiah – shevarim – teruah – tekiah

Tekiah – shevarim – tekiah

Tekiah – teruah – tekiah

Numbers 10:6-8

describes these blasts

Movie:

The Four 4 Traditional Shofar Blasts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkThNw210is

Modern Representation throughout the world

Differences when it’s used Differences in how it’s made Different calls used

Symbolism Monotheism Transcendental powers (sound of the

neshama) References in Torah to the sound God makes

while walking Part of a dominant cultural symbol During Rosh Hashanah Different sounds symbolize different meanings

TekiahTeruahShevarimTekiah Gedolah

Oriental Fantasy

Stage performance sound clip.

How it is used in modern Israel

Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur Presidency Welcoming Shabbat Holocaust

Siren sounded for two minutes on Yom Hashoah (Day of Remembrance)

Meant to match the Shofar wailShofar as a call for action

Resources http://www.mid-east.com/Info/shofars.html The Sounding of the Shofar: David Wulstan “Accessories of Holiness”: Defining Jewish

Sacred Objects by Virginia Greene. http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/

Jewish_Holidays/Rosh_Hashanah/In_the_Community/Shofar.shtml

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13602-shofar