If you are the lucky owner of a shofar, then you should also know the proper technique of cleaning a shofar. Here are some tips to help you achieve this easily.
Shofars are made out of a ram’s horns and curved in shape. These are instruments, which Jewish people use to blow as wake-up calls during repentance. Since this is made from animal horn, it can accumulate residues and result in a bad odor, which is why regular shofar cleaning is essential. In fact, the bad smell emanating from the shofar can cause difficulty in performance of the ritual in a correct manner.
Using baking soda
One of the most potent combinations, which is highly effective for cleaning a shofar is vinegar mixed with baking soda. Both baking soda as well as vinegar possess properties, which eliminate bad odor. Hence, you can use vinegar undiluted or baking soda diluted in water and fill the shofar with it left overnight. If the residues are more stubborn, try using the vinegar and baking soda combination for an easy cleaning technique. Once you leave the shofar horns in this solution overnight, all you have to do is to rinse it out the next morning. You can repeat the procedure if you like.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is another very powerful yet safe cleanser when it comes to shofar cleaning. All you will need to do is to fill up the shofar with the hydrogen peroxide until it is half filled. Then, plug up the end of the rosh hashana shofar and shake until when the inner residue starts to emanate from the shofar horns. Then, simply empty the liquid out of the shofar and repeat this procedure until all the dirt is out. Once the entire residue is cleansed from the inside, you can use a soft cloth fixed to a wire to clean the shofar inside thoroughly one last time.
Gravel method
One popular method to clean the rosh hashana shofar is by using gravel. You need to plug one end of the shofar horns with a ear plug and then fill the other end with gravel. You should fill only sufficient gravel in order to be able to shake the shofar easily. Then, cover the larger end with some soft cloth or nerf ball. After this, to perform thorough shofar cleaning you need to shake it for almost fifteen minutes. Then, take out the nerf ball and remove all gravel. Place the nerf ball back and fill up the rosh hashana shofar with alcohol till halfway. Shake the shofar for a minute or so. Remove both of the plugs and pour all the alcohol out and leave the shofar for drying.
Oiling
Once the shofar cleaning process is completed, you need to oil it properly. Proper usage of anointing oils containing myrrh is necessary, which helps as a natural kind of preservative. Pour a very tiny quantity of this oil inside the horn’s bell portion and keep swirling the shofar around. There are special valve brushes used specifically for trumpets, which can also be used for this purpose.
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