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Qol TamidThe Shofar in Ritual, History, and Culture
From biblical times until today the shofar has served an array of practical purposes and communicated a range of symbolic meanings. The roughly seventy references to the shofar in the Hebrew Bible show four stereotypical functions: announcing the divine presence, accompanying sacred ceremonies, proclaiming kingship, and signaling on the battlefield. In addition to the above purposes, the shofar served as a symbol for messages of joy, fear, group identity, and redemption. This volume, written by prominent Jewish scholars and faith leaders, examines the role of the shofar in the Hebrew Bible and subsequent Jewish life, including even appearances in popular literature of the present day. Fascinating studies of the shofar - the ram's horn - as depicted in everything from ancient holy books to modern comic books. Anyone interested in the complex religious symbolism and board cultural significance of the shofar will welcome this innovative volume. |