How to Make a Shofar

Last Updated: June 15, 2022 References Approved

The shofar is an ancient Hebrew priestly instrument made from the horn of a ram, antelope, goat, or gazelle. This incredible instrument supposedly mimics the sound of Yahweh's voice when he spoke at Mount Sinai, and it was used historically to call the Jewish people together for important events. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about crafting a 100% DIY shofar.

1

Obtain a horn.

You may use any kosher animal’s horn to make a shofar. An animal is kosher if it has split hooves and chew their cud. For the purpose of making a shofar, use the horn of a ram, antelope, goat, or gazelle.

2

Check the horn for leaks.

Fill the horn with water to see if it’s leak-free . If there are cracks or leaks in the horn, it is not acceptable to be used as a shofar, according to Jewish law and tradition.

3

Cover the horn in water.

Set the horn in a roaster or large pan and submerge it. The horn should be completely covered by the water.

4

Boil the horn for 2-5 hours.

You can stop once the horn is soft and you can remove the cartilage. Use a kitchen pick, such as those used to remove nuts from their shells, to clean the horn and make it hollow. If you do not have a pick, any thin object that can reach into the small spaces may be used to clean the shofar.

5

Thread a wire through the horn.

Run your wire inside and let the horn dry completely. Thread a wire through the horn to measure the depth of the hollow space inside. Allow the horn to dry completely.

6

Cut the tip of the horn off.

You only need to remove the very end of the horn. Measure 1 inch (2.54 cm) past the end of the hollow area, and mark that point on the horn. Cut the tip of the thoroughly-dried shofar horn off at the mark.

7

Drill a hole.

Drive a 1/8-inch (.32 cm) opening at the end of the shofar. Aim to make the hole as symmetrical and smooth as possible.

8

Carve a mouthpiece.

Make the opening similar to that of a trumpet. Fit the mouthpiece to the individual who will blow the shofar during its liturgical use.

Community Q&A

Question

What family is the shofar?

Community Answer

It operates on the same principals as brass, but it is not a brass instrument. I would say it is like a horn.
Question

Are there any home mixtures I can use to polish a shofar?

Community Answer

Heated beeswax is good, and wood varnish also works well. Of course, the shofar must be sanded with at least 300 grit sandpaper to achieve a mirror-like polish.
Question

What is the best way to sand the shofar if I want it smooth?

Community Answer

Take a shard of glass and use it to scrape the outside of the horn until it's smooth.