Yom HaShoa or Holocaust Memorial day was followed closely by Israel's Day of Independence last week. The turmoil of emotions really gets one thinking. There is symbolic significance in rising from the ashes of the death camps in Europe to establishing a successful, healthy and strong Jewish state.
This year, eight thousand people from around the world joined together in Poland to march in honor of the Holocaust victims. They marched from the former Nazi German Aushwitz death camp to the Birkenau death camp. The march started with the sounding of an ancient symbol of freedom - the Shofar.
At the Chen Ha’Tzafon synagogue in Petach Tikva an uplifting service is the transition from mourning to joy. They remember those who paid the ultimate price and are thanking G-d for the Jewish state. The pinnacle of the service is the blowing of the Shofar, a symbol of freedom and strength.
The Shofar is so much more than a musical instrument. More than a wail or a cry or blast. The Shofar is truly a symbol of freedom.
If a shofar makes no noise is it still a shofar? What if it amplifies the sound of something else? What if the shofar is hooked up to your iphone? Or your iphone is hooked up to your shofar?
Italian designers Enrico Bosa and Isabella Lovero have done just that. They call it "The Megaphone."
It's made of ceramic and works like a passive amplifier. It certainly looks like a shofar but it certainly doesn't sound like one. Unless, of course, you've downloaded a shofar ringtone for your iphone.
But don't worry, at The Great Shofar we've got lots of working shofars to chose from. And they've got stands too:)
The call of the rams horn (and a few kudu horns too) was heard all around the world in quite an unusual setting. From Jerusalem and New York City to Budapest, Chicago and San Francisco, the cry went out. There was no religious service or religious setting. This shofar blowing event was an exhibit with artistic intentions.
Tekiah!
At the cue word "Tekiah" groups of pedestrians in public places in seven different cities pulled out their rams horns and gave it their best go. The Shofar Flash Mob was born.
From Tulsa To Salem
Shofar Flash Mobs took place in Jerusalem (Israel), Budapest (Hungary), Tbilisi (Georgia), Kiev (Ukraine), Gomel (Belarus), Chicago (Illinois), Milwakee (Wisconsin), San Francisco (California), Oakland (California), Las Vegas (Nevada), Los Angeles (California), Tulsa (Oklahoma), Wolcott (Vermont), Salem (Massachusetts), and St. Louis (Missouri) and let's not forget New York City.
The Artful Insight Of The Rams Horn
The rams horns were blown as part of an artistic display organized by Art Kibbutz New York, an international Jewish artist colony. The Art Kibbutz explains: "Like all great art, the Shofar Flash Mob became a text of infinite meaning, imparting insight and texture to the beholder and participant alike. There were myriad interpretations of what was taking place. No two experiences were quite alike."
A rams horn from Israel is the gift idea you've been looking for. The flashing lights of two-day-specials, one-time-only deals and closeout
clearances can make for an overwhelming holiday shopping experience. At this hectic time of year, some people feel tempted to opt out of gift giving altogether. The traffic and commercialism can be frustrating.
According to The Center for a New American dream, which promotes responsible consumption,eighty percent of Americans think the holidays are too materialistic. That means that most Americans feel that their holidays are mising out on spiritual values and emotional connections.
Gift Giving
But gift giving holds an important place in our lives. For the giver as much as the receiver. It helps define relationships and strengthen bonds. It's one of our core cultural values. Giving a gift that celebrates non materialistic values gives balance to the commercial "holiday season" we're confronted with.
A Meaningful Gift
At The Great Shofar all of our products are from Israel. From the rams horn and kudu horn and oryx horn shofars themselves to the bags and stands we sell as accessories. Everything is from Israel. The gift of a Shofar offers a personal connection from the giver to the receiver and a global and spiritual connection to the Land of Israel.
Made In Israel
Unlike all other nations, Israel is the one nation created by G-d. By supporting businesses based in Israel you are not only supporting the G-d given right of the Jewish people to live in their homeland, but you are also supporting freedom of religion, democracy, and a culture of freedom.
Although we do have specials, deals and clearances, our prices are always great! We always offer a flat rate express shipping price of $11.99 and orders over $100 always get free express shippng. Just imagine, a rams horn straight from Israel to your door in less than a week!
Make It Meaningful
Think of the standard commercial gift receiving experience. As the holiday music plays and the gifts are opened, a mental note is taken of the source of the gift. Lands' End, Walmart, Pottery Barn, Home Depot, Barnes & Noble. It's a tie or slippers. Maybe a household appliance, or a book or CD.
This year offer a surprise. This year give a gift with a positive impact. Perhaps even a spiritual impact. Give a gift with the power to stir emotions. With no traffic and free shipping. Give a gift from The Great Shofar.
I have begun a project of creating a free translation of the Laws of Shofar from the Shulchan Aruch HaRav. I am doing it in small installments and posting all of the sections here:
I just wanted to highlight a couple of interesting articles about the Shofar that I wrote a few years ago. The content is timeless, but sometimes the older articles on the site don't get viewed as much.
The Shofar is mentioned in the Bible over 80 times. It is in the story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. It was blown at the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. The Bible says that the Shofar should be blown on the New Year (Rosh HaShana) as well as to announce the Jubilee year (yovel). It was blow at the anointing of King Solomon. And it was blown by Gideon in battle.
A few years ago, we compiled this list of several of the most interesting places where the Shofar is mentioned in the Bible. It is complete with citations. Enjoy!
We just added two new silver coated Shofars to our catalog! The first item is a silver coated Ram's horn Shofar. It is made of one of our highest quality, 20 inch Ram's horn Shofars. It is then coated with sterling silver. The silver has a design depicting a bearded figure blowing the Shofar against the backdrop of an ancient wall. We love this Shofar because it reminds us so much of our website's logo.
The next Shofar is a silver coated oryx Shofar. The horn of the oryx is almost straight. This gives it a look reminiscent of the trumpets used in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. This beautiful oryx Shofar is coated with a sterling silver design of Jerusalem.
We are really excited about this new line of sterling silver Shofars. We will be adding a few more soon.
Today I got an email from Yishai Fleisher at Israel National Radio (also knows as Arutz Sheva) asking me to come on the show today for a quick segment about our website. You can listen to the segment here.
I want to thank Yishai for having me on the show and giving a plug to our site.
We just added two new silver coated Shofars to our catalog! 
The next Shofar is a