shofar
- Museum number
- 1893,0519.3
- Description
-
Shofar; ram's horn; musical horn traditionally sounded in synagogue on the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
- Dimensions
-
Length: 27.60 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- A shofar is a musical instrument made from a ram's horn. It is sounded mainly in synagogue services during the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). It has a distinctive sound, and is blown following an elaborate order of sounds and notes. The custom of sounding a shofar on ceremonial occasions originated in biblical times. It is first mentioned in the Book of Exodus 19:16, when God revealed himself at Mount Sinai and the sound of the shofar made the Israelites tremble in awe. The traditional use of a ram's horn was influenced by the story of the Binding of Isaac (although a shofar is permitted to be made from the horn of any animal considered to be ritually pure, with the exception of a cow, forbidden due to the incident of the golden calf).
- Location
- On display (G46/dc23)
- Associated events
-
Used at: Day of Atonement
-
Used at: New Year
- Acquisition date
- 1893
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1893,0519.3
