For many people, the shofar blasts are the highlight of the Rosh Hashanah synagogue services. Similar to fireworks set off on New Year’s Eve, or banging on pots and blowing noisemakers at the stroke of midnight as we enter January 1st, the shofar blasts grab our attention, shouting, “wake up! The New Year is here!”

Watch this video for a demonstration and explanation of the different shofar blasts — tek’iah, sh’varim and teruah — and you too will be ready for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.

Thanks to David Finkelstein, rabbinic intern at The Boston Synagogue, for his help with this video.