Selection of the Ba’al Tokeia
Halachos about Shofar Blowing are based on the Mishna Berura reflecting Ashkenazi practice.
- In a similar way to the Chazzan, there are halachic criteria around who to select for the important function of Ba’al Tokeia and Ba’al Makrei, given they are acting as representatives of the community in front of Hashem. The Rav of the community should therefore be consulted on the process for selecting the individuals for these roles (Piskei Tshuvos 581:6)
Intention
See our discussion around the intention of the ba’al tokeia to cover those listening here.
Shehecheyanu on Shofar Blowing on the Second Day
- Ashkenazi practice is for the Ba’al Tokeia to say ‘Shehecheyanu’ on the second day of Rosh Hashana as well. When the first day was not Shabbos, so Shofar was blown, it is preferable for the Ba’al Tokeia to wear a new garment when saying Shehecheyanu on the second day (like by Kiddush and candle lighting on second night – see ‘Rosh Hashana Evening’), though he may still say the bracha if he is not (R 600:3, MB7).
Kashrus of the Shofar
- There are a number of halachos that define what is a kosher shofar, which relate to the provenance of the Shofar, how it was produced, and if it was damaged, what repairs were performed on it. These Halachos are beyond the scope of our discussion but can be found in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 586. It is primarily important for a ba’al tokeia to source their Shofar from a trustworthy source, to be alert for signs that the Shofar may have previously been damaged and undergone repair and consult with a Rav in such circumstances, as well as if the Shofar becomes damaged in their possession to determine how, if it all, it can be fixed.
Position and Angle of the Shofar
- Right Hand Side: When he is able to do so, the Ba’al Tokeia should ideally position the shofar on the right hand side of his lips when blowing to counteract the Satan who stands to the right (Zecharia 3:1). When unable to, however, he may position it to the left of his mouth.
- Mouth Upwards: It is also preferable for him to point the mouth of the shofar (ie the hole the sound comes out of) upwards, to reflect the passuk in Tehillim (47:6) ‘Ala Elokim BiSruah’ ‘Hashem went up with a teruah’. (Rema 589:3, MB 8, 9 Dirshu 23)
- Alshich explains that this passuk uses the name ‘Elokim’, indicating Hashem acting with judgement, so the passuk means that through the blowing of the Shofar, Hashem removes strict judgement us and relates to with us with compassion (Alshich Tehillim 47:6).
- Pressed to the lips: The Shofar must be blown whilst held directly on one’s lips – if one blew a shofar and succeeded in making a sound when it was away from one’s lips, this is an invalid blowing (SA 586:19).
Ba’al Makrei
- The custom is for someone, known as the Ba’al Makrei, to call out each note, including the first tekia, to the ba’al tokeia to prevent mistakes from being made. (Rema 585:4, MB18).
The Sound of the Shofar
- A shofar blast is valid whether the sound is deep or high pitch or hoarse sounding (SA 586:6, MB6).
Fluency in Halachos
- It is important for both the ba’al tokeia and ba’al makrei to study and be well versed in the halachos relating to the blowing of shofar to ensure they can correctly fulfil their roles and respond appropriately if either of them make a mistake during tekias shofar. (MB 585:18).
Taking Payment
- Due to the restrictions on taking a wage for one’s activities on Shabbos or Yom Tov, a Ba’al Tokeia or Chazzan taking payment for their services on Rosh Hashana should ideally structure the agreement in a way that their payment also covers meaningful services they provide to the shul on a weekday, or that it also covers the time they spend practicing during the week. Alternatively, he should not fix a price with those employing him and treat whatever they give him afterwards as a gift (SA 585:5, PT 11, SA 306:5, MB 24).
Carrying the Shofar Home
- As per the normal halachos of Yom Tov, a ba’al tokeia may not carry his Shofar in the street if there is no eiruv unless taking it to go and blow in another location (MB 596:4)
