Pictures of Shofars
The shofar is a trumpet like instrument. The shofar is usually made from the horn of a male sheep (ram) yet it can be made from the horn of any kosher animal except a calf or cow. In ancient times the shofar was used as a way of calling the Jews to attention. For example, the shofar would be sounded to call people to assembly, to announce the coming of the new moon, or to lead the army into battle. Today most Jewish people associate the blowing of the shofar with the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur holidays. During Rosh Hashanah, the sounding of the shofar announces the new moon that brings the new year. During the morning Rosh Hashanah service, the shofar is blown several times by a Rabbi or a member of the congregation. The person blowing the shofar sounds out special shofar prayers. There are three notes that are sounded; Teru'ah, Teki'ah, and Shevarim. In modern Israel the shofar is also used to announce the Sabbath's approach.

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