Shofars

Get your own authentic shofar from the Land of Israel! Explore ram’s horn shofars and Yemenite kudu shofars, along with decorated and personalized options, each carefully hand-crafted by Israel's most trusted shofar makers.

These days, the shofar (שופר) is associated with the high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, though it is blown every day of the month beforehand, in Elul. While shofars may look similar one to the next, at Judaica Webstore, our shofars are all made in Israel and come to you with a kosher certificate, meaning they can be used for the High Holidays, or else come with beatiful artwork that has been painted or plated on, often with personalized options. These are unique, natural products, so you want to make sure to purchase only the top quality to ensure a crisp, clear sound and a long lasting shofar.

Rosh Hashanah 2026 will start on Friday, September 11, Yom Kippur will begin on the evening of Sunday, September 20, and the month of Elul will start on Friday, August 14 - so make sure that you have your shofar before then!

Still have questions about shofars? We've gathered the most commonly asked questions along with our trained staff's expert answers below:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why do Jews use a shofar?

The Jews use a shofar, historically for many more occasions than it is used for now, including the pronouncement of a new month, a new king, the arrival of Shabbat and Sabbatical years, and as a war horn to name just some of the uses. On a spiritual level, the sound of the Shofar is supposed to mimic the cries of a mother, to open each individual’s souls to accept mercy and begin growing for the better, as well as to appeal to God’s mercy that He should hear our cries and take pity on our plights.

When and why is the shofar blown?

In modern times, someone blasts the shofar every day during morning services in synagogue throughout the month of Elul, except on Shabbat. The shofar is also used during Rosh Hashanah prayer services and at the end of Yom Kippur to signify the end of the Day of Atonement and by extension the fast.

Do different shofar sounds mean different things? Is there a specific order?

Yes, there are three distinct shofar sounds, each with its own meaning and spiritual significance. The Tekiah is a long, straight blast symbolizing clarity and faith; the Shevarim consists of three shorter, broken sounds representing brokenness and introspection; and the Teruah is a series of nine quick staccato blasts expressing urgency and awakening.

During Rosh Hashanah services, these sounds are blown in a specific prescribed order according to Jewish law, typically following patterns like Tekiah-Shevarim-Teruah-Tekiah. The traditional service includes 100 shofar blasts total, combining these sounds in various sequences to fulfill the biblical commandment and inspire spiritual reflection during the Days of Awe.

What Makes a Shofar Kosher?

A shofar needs two qualifications for a shofar to be kosher, but this is nothing to worry about in almost all cases. So long as the horn is from a kosher animal, such as a ram's horn or kudu shofar and is not an antler which does not naturally hollow out anyway. At minimum it must be at least 10cm, or using the ancient measurement: 1 tefach from the mouthpiece to the end with no breaks or coatings. All of Judaica Webstore's shofars are kosher, except those with paint or metal plating. Horns from cattle are avoided to not associate this mitzvah with the sin of the Golden Calf.

What Are the Origins of the Shofar

The origins of the shofar trace back to ancient Israel, where it was mentioned in the Torah, particularly in the books of Exodus and Leviticus. It was used by the Israelites in the Sinai Desert after the Exodus from Egypt, notably at the moment when the Ten Commandments were given at Mount Sinai. It symbolizes a covenant with G-d, acting as a call to worship, a signal for important events, and a tool for spiritual awakening. The ram's horn, chosen for its biblical associations with the story of the Binding of Isaac which is also recited on Rosh Hashanah, became the preferred material, embedding the shofar deep within Jewish liturgical tradition.

How do I choose the shofar that is right for me?

The most important thing to keep in mind before you place an order for your shofar is that some communities have varying norms about the use of different animals. If you're unsure, ask a trusted rabbi before purchasing. You can also take a look at our guide to buying the perfect shofar to ensure that whatever shofar you order from our website will be suitable for your needs. For inspiration while you shop, make sure to check out our team's handpicked top 10 shofars from the Land of Israel!