shofar

American  

[shoh-fer, shaw-fahr, shoh-fuhr, shoh-fahr] / ˈʃoʊ fər, ʃɔˈfɑr, ˈʃoʊ fər, ʃoʊˈfɑr /

Or shophar

noun

Judaism.

plural

shofars,

plural

shofroth, shofrot, shofros

1. a ram's horn blown as a wind instrument, sounded in Biblical times chiefly to communicate signals in battle and announce certain religious occasions and in modern times chiefly at synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

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shofar British  

/ ˈʃəʊfɑː, ʃɔˈfar /

noun

1. Judaism a ram's horn sounded in the synagogue daily during the month of Elul and repeatedly on Rosh Hashanah, and by the ancient Israelites as a warning, summons, etc

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Etymology

Origin of shofar

First recorded in 1860–65, from Hebrew shōphār “ram's horn”

Example Sentences

“It’s perverse … to use the shofar, which is played during religious ceremonies, to announce himself,” said Pablo Gorodneff, secretary-general of the progressive Argentine Jewish Appeal group.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 2, 2024

The crowd held its breath at Sinai Temple as Nilli Salem played an extended note on the shofar, an instrument typically made from a ram’s horn and used in important Jewish rituals.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2023

“She sleeps here in peace — she was deeply loved,” reads the Greek inscription on a marble plaque etched with Jewish symbols — a palm branch, a menorah, a shofar.

From New York Times • May 1, 2023

“So maybe it’s fair to say that while Jews use a variety of shofar types, Christians have gravitated to the one particular version—perhaps because the shorter ones aren’t quite so photogenic.”

From Slate • Sep. 23, 2022

With his philacteries wound around his arm, he should be placed before the Ark and, amidst burning candles and to the accompaniment of shofar blasts, made to recite a lengthy awe-inspiring oath.

From History of the Jews in Russia and Poland. Volume II From the death of Alexander I. until the death of Alexander III. (1825-1894) by Friedlaender, I.