When the children of Israel received the Torah at mount Sinai, the blast of a Shofar emanating from the thick cloud on Mount Sinai made the Israelites tremble in awe (Exodus 19:16). The Shofar was used to announce holidays and the Jubilee year, and particularly the Tishrei holidays, described in the Torah as a zikron teruˁah (memorial of blowing ; Lev. 23:24) and a yom teruˁah (day of blowing; Num. 29). On Yom Kippur and other fast days ram horn silver plated Shofars were used to commemorate the fast.
Shema Israel Shofar, the most fundamental protestation of Jewish faith. “Hear oh Israel, the LORD our GOD, GOD is one” was only added to the liturgy following the destruction of the Second Temple. These words are frequently etched on the plating of a ram horn silver plated Shofar, ensuring that the congregation who attends the blowing of the Shema Israel Shofar is reminded of the historical continuity between the past and the present of the Jewish people.
The Shema Israel Shofar can be based on ram horn silver plated Shofars of various finishes, but the semi polished ram Shofar is often preferred for aesthetic reasons. However, regardless of whether a semi polished ram Shofar or a polished ram Shofar is affixed with the Jewish catechism of faith, witnessing the Shema Israel Shofar being blown is a heart throbbing experience which brings tears to the eyes of many worshipers.
