Making a Shofar

 

Art Finkle

 

A Shofar is nothing more than curing the hollow horn of an animal with a hollow horn (made of keratin). Unlike deer who have bony horns, other species develop a hollow horn, usually developed by both sexes.

 

Now the mouthpiece can be crafted.

In the case of a rams horn, once the cartilage is removed it needs to be shaped to soften the horn use hot oil or by steaming and form into the tradition "j" shape, and by flattening the side.

 

To make the mouthpiece.

First measure the hollow depth of the horn from the opening with a bent wire. Lining up the bent wire along the outer length of the Shofar, mark off where the wire reaches from the opening of the horn. Measuring 1 1/2 inch or more (depending on the degree of curvature) from that mark towards the pointy tip of the horn, then mark the place where you will cut of the tip of the Shofar with a coping saw. The cut must be perpendicular to the length of the Shofar. Once the pointy tip is cut of, a blunt flat surface results. The mouthpiece is now created with a 3/16", 6 six inch long bit on a variable speed drill. Aim the drill in the centre of the flat end of the horn. Gradually the drill should be accelerated so that it cuts a narrow hole along the body of the Shofar until it penetrates into the hollow of the Shofar.

 

NOTE: if you use a drill at a sharp angle (not parallel to the body of the horn), you may cut the side of the horn, rendering the horn invalid for ritual use.

 

The Narrow hole that is created by the drill must be enlarged, tradition knife cut to create a conical or cup shaped hollow. The cone shaped opening helps ensure that a minimal volume of air can be forcefully blown through the canal with little effort and still resonate the Shofar sufficiently to sound it clearly. The wider the canal, the easier it is to blow. You will need to polish the mouthpiece with a buffer.

Michael Strassfeld reports that you can also use an electric modeling tool to smooth the outside and inside surfaces of the Shofar.  The Shofar can then be waxed on order to protect the keratin and to cause a good appearance. http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/ Rosh_Hashana/ Overview_Rosh_Hashanah_Community/Sounding_Shofar/Make_Shofar.htm. Accessed May 14, 2006.

 

Sources

Michale Albukerk ," How to make a Shofar,” Historical Brass Society Newsletter Issue 7 pages 13/14; 'Biological Museum Methods' Vol. 1 Page 331