Shofar Scents

 

From a question received on this website:

 

Dear Art,

 

A friend returned form Israel and presented me with a beautiful Shofar. It sounds great. But the one big  problem is that it stinks. There were probably some marrow pieces left inside. My question is simple: “How do you clean a Shofar?

 

Dear Reader,

 

To answer your question, my wife spoke to Mrs. Sarah Glaser, author of Life Saver! - The Jewish Homemaker's Survival Kit (Targum Press/Feldheim ). She recommends diluted vinegar (weak acid) or baking soda for removing odors. Pour synthetic vinegar into the Shofar. Then soak the new Shofar or weak base (soapy warm water) for 20 minutes.  Allow it to dry. Rinse and repeat. If necessary, let sit overnight in the vinegar/baking soda solution.

You can use some more powerful acids or bases: however, such caustic materials also dissolve the keratin (material) in the mouthpiece and sound chamber areas, thus either changing or compromising its performance. So if applied, these agents should be dried (fan or hair dryer as quickly as possible

 

Another source suggests airing a Shofar in an open air space. Air fresheners are useful for deodorizing Shofars, if they actually break up the smell rather than masking it. Hydrogen peroxide could be applied in severe cases and it cleans the bell opening nicely.

Note that Mid-East Mfg now has a functional synthetic Shofar that has no odor and it's attractive for display purposes as well. However, I really do not think it is kosher because it has to be of a horn of a kosher animal, just as it was in Temple.

 

http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/sbs777/prophecy/shofar.html