Shofars (also shoffar) are curved and polished horns with openings at the top and base. They are typically made from a ram’s horn. According to Halacha (Jewish Law), a Shofar may not be made from a cow’s or calf's horn, since this suggests worship of the Golden Calf as condemned in the Torah.

Our high-quality Shofars are made by the Ribak family in Tel Aviv. The Ribak family first arrived in Israel from Poland about 70 years ago. The family members brought with them from their native country old equipment for making Shofarot.

Today, the new generation continues the family tradition of shofar-making, using modern methods to produce the finest Shofars in Israel. Every shofar is checked for imperfections before being shipped.

It can require a strenuous effort to blow the Shofar. However, with practice, anyone can. One who blows the Shofar is known as a tokea, which translates to "blaster." A good Tokea knows that blowing the Shofar is comparable to blowing a trumpet or bugle. It takes less effort when placed to one side of the mouth, and the lips vibrate.

On Rosh Hashanah, the Shofar is blown 100 times to signify the Jewish New Year. It is also blown at the end of the Yom Kippur service to signify that the day of repentance and introspection has come to an end.

According to Jewish tradition, the Shofar is not used on Shabbat (the Sabbath) since the Tokea might accidentally carry the horn from place to place. This constitutes work, and is thus forbidden. Even during the days following Rosh Hashanah, any day falling on the Sabbath does not include Shofar blasts.

The sounds of the Shofar are meant to awake and inspire, or as an announcement that one is being called to consider spiritual matters. This may be accomplished with three different sounds made by the Shofar. A single short blast is called the Tekiah. Three short notes played consecutively are called Shever, and Teru’ah is the name given to nine quick notes played one after the other.

Care must be taken to keep the Shofar from damage. A damaged Shofar will not produce sound properly, especially if there are any holes in the horn aside from the two main ones. With practice, anyone can master the Shofar and create powerful blasts as part of a meaningful religious service.

The shofar measures 8' to 10" (2o to 25 cm).