Sa'adiah Gaon gives ten reasons for sounding the Shofar on Rosh HaShana.

1. Acknowledges God as Our King

2. Stirs Our Conscience

3. Reminds us of God's revelation at Sinai

4. Reminds us of the Prophets' warnings

5. Reminds us of the destruction of the Temple

6. Reminds us the ram offered by Abraham in place of his son Isaac

7. Reminds us to feel humble before God

8. Reminds us of the Day of Final Judgment

9. Foreshadows proclamation of freedom when exiled will return to Israel

10. Foreshadows inauguration of Gods reign of righteousness throughout the world

It is customary to blow the Shofar during the daytime in the same place that the Torah is read. The person blowing the Shofar (Ba'al Teki'ah) and all those listening should be instructed to have intention to fulfill the mitzvah of hearing the Shofar.

Two blessings are recited before the Shofar is blown.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha'Olam, asher kidishanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu leshoma kol shofar.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has blessed us in his commandments and commanded us to hear the sound of the Shofar.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha'Olam, shehechiyanu v'kiyimanu v'higianu la'zman ha'zeh.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

Once the blessings have been made, no one should speak until the end of the Shofar blasts.

There are three distinct types of Shofar blasts (Tekiot):

1. Tekiah - one long, unbroken sound

2. Shevarim - three medium, broken sounds

3. Teruah - short, quick sounds

The Shofar is blown immediately after the Haftorah is read (thirty blasts). During the Cantor's repetition of the Amidah of Musaf, an additional thirty blasts of the Shofar are sounded. At the conclusion of the prayer service, forty extra blasts are sounded to make a total of one hundred Shofar blasts. It is customary for the final blast to be prolonged (Tekia Gedola). When Rosh HaShana falls on Shabbat, the Shofar is not sounded.

All those old enough to be educated regarding the mitzvah of hearing the Shofar are obligated to hear the Shofar on Rosh HaShana. To fulfill the mitzvah, women may sound the Shofar and say the blessing.