Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is far more than a calendar celebration. In Scripture it is called Yom Teruah, the Day of Blowing the Trumpets, and it marks a time of judgment and renewal. The central command is simple yet profound: to hear the sound of the shofar.
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The piercing blasts of the ram’s horn are meant to stir the heart toward repentance and reconciliation. Rabbis teach that making peace with God and others pushes back against the enemy. Many describe the sound as an alarm clock for the soul, awakening listeners to return to the Lord.
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The shofar itself carries deep symbolism. Traditionally made from a ram’s horn, it recalls the story of Abraham and Isaac, when God provided a ram in place of sacrifice. Other horns may be used, but not from a cow, so as not to recall Israel’s sin with the golden calf. Each horn requires careful craftsmanship, as every piece differs in size and thickness.
During the month leading to Rosh Hashanah, the shofar is sounded daily in synagogues and at the Western Wall to give time for repentance. Historically, its blasts also marked the coronation of Israel’s kings, foreshadowing the future reign of the Messiah. For many Christians, the shofar points to the return of Jesus and the establishment of His kingdom.
The sound of the shofar is a reminder that now is the time to turn back to God, make things right, and live in expectation of what is to come.
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If you want to learn more about the meaning of the shofar, be sure to watch the video above.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
