The shofar refers to the ram’s horn that is usually blown during the High Holidays of the Jewish faith. But people who are unfamiliar with the shofar might wonder about its significance and what it symbolizes.
Let us look at the significance of the shofar first.
The Shofar – What Does it Symbolize?
The shofar signifies the anniversary of creation. The shofar proclaims the sovereignty of the Creator – God. The shofar also signifies the beginning of repentance. It is believed that the shofar stirs and inspires people to improve their lives, as it makes the onset of the “Ten Days of Repentance.”
The shofar also serves as the reminder of revelation regarding Mount Sinai, where the trumpet blast grew louder, and people pledged to obey. According to the Jewish faith, the shofar evokes the advice and admonishments of the prophets and symbolizes prophetic warnings.
Another aspect that is linked with the shofar is its use as a battle alarm. In its essence, the shofar reminds people of the battle alarms that resounded in Judea during the destruction of the Temple. The shofar also serves as a source to invoke the memory of the Akedah, which refers to the attempted sacrifice of Isaac.
The shofar also links with the inspiration of reverence as it surely inspires reverence and awe in the hearts of the listeners. The blowing of the trumpet is also linked with the Day of Judgment. In this light, the shofar serves as a strong reminder of the impending Day of Judgment.
With this also comes the symbol of hope and restoration. The shofar tends to instill hope for the potential future restoration of Israel and serves as a symbol of hope for the Israelis. Lastly, the shofar also symbolizes the belief in the resurrection.
The Importance of Blowing the Shofar
Now that we understand the religious significance of the shofar, the question is why we need to blow the shofar. You might want to check out this wide range of shofar and get one for your loved ones, too.
As we mentioned before, the shofar symbolizes the sovereignty of the creator, which also signifies the importance of blowing the shofar. By blowing the shofar, you signify that you are remembering and affirming the sovereignty of the creator – God.
By blowing the shofar, you declare and affirm the continued kingship of God. By blowing the shofar, you also ring the alarm as a way to wake up from worldly slumber and connect with your spiritual side. By doing so, you take a proactive step towards correcting your ways and examining your deeds. The shofar serves as a reminder of the temporariness of the world, causing us to return and refocus our attention on the creator – God.
The shofar serves as a reminder for the Jewish community to rededicate themselves to the study of the Torah. Also, blowing the shofar is important not only for ourselves but our loved ones and the greater community, as the shofar reminds everyone of the voice of the prophets and invites everyone to re-examine themselves and align themselves to the commandments of God.
Blowing the shofar is similar to sending a cry to the heavens, which reminds us of the destruction of the Holy Temple and the cries and tears that were shed during the destruction. The similarity serves as an inspiration to hasten and quicken the pace of rebuilding the Temple.
Without a doubt, the cry of the shofar fills every listener with a sense of awe and humility, simultaneously reminding them of the omnipotence of God and how He rules over space, time, and the universe that the simple human mind cannot fathom.
