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What
Are the Qualifications for Sounding the Shofar?
The Shulchan Aruch begins its exploration of fitness by
citing excluding classes of people:
1.Whoever is not obligated to fulfill the mitzvah of sounding
the shofar should not substitute his efforts for another
whose duty it is to perform a mitzvah. For example, the
Baal Tekiah sounds a shofar for a synagogue in Chelm cannot
perform he same mitzvah when another in the town of Lodz
can fulfill the mitzvah. 2.The mitzvah is not valid for
a deaf mute (cannot hear), moron (lacks the capacity)
and a child (lacks the adult status) 3.Women are exempt
because the mitzvah is time bound 4.A hermaphrodite may
make his shofar sounding serve for other hermaphrodites
5.Women should not be Baal Tekia’s because they would
be substituting her efforts for another whose duty it
is to perform a mitzvah. However, if a female Baal Tekiya
has already intoned the shofar for other women, it is
valid. However, women should not make a blessing. 6.Only
a freeman (not even a slave who will become free in the
next month) can be a Baal Tekiya. MB 590:1-5 Being a Baal
Tekiya (Shofar Sounder) is an honor.
"The
one who blows the shofar on Rosh Hashanah . . . should
likewise be learned in the Torah and shall be God-fearing;
the best man available. Nevertheless, every Jew is eligible
for any sacred office, providing he is acceptable to the
congregation. If, however, he sees that his choice will
cause disruption, he should withdraw his candidacy, even
if the improper person will be chosen” See Shulchan Aruch
3:72.
Moreover, the Baal Tekiya shall abstain from anything
that may cause ritual contamination for three days prior
to Rosh Hashanah. See Shulchan Aruch 3:73
A Baal Tekiya can sound the
shofar for shut-ins and home-bound women who have
had baby.
If a blind blower was dismissed, but the community did
not find a blower as proficient, he should be appointed
as community blower. The touchstone is proficiency not
disability.