A shofar, crafted from a ram’s horn, serves as a trumpet-like instrument in Jewish traditions. It stands as a symbol of God’s majesty and a call to repentance. During the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, the shofar acts as a spiritual wake-up call, encouraging a return to the path God desires. On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the shofar marks the end of the fast, symbolizing the hope that prayers have been accepted, sealing a healthy and prosperous year ahead.
The shofar also embodies healing, wholeness, and spiritual redemption. In the book “THE ANGELS AMONG US,” the shofar contributes to a miraculous healing of Nikki Goldstein, a journalist in Sydney with a chronic lung and autoimmune disease. Facing a grim prognosis, with extensive lung damage and on a ventilator, her condition seemed terminal in September 2022.
Despite the dire outlook, a rabbi, later identified as Rabbi Eli Schlanger from Chabad synagogue in Bondi Beach, visited her hospital bedside. At her husband’s request, he prayed for her health and blew the shofar over her. Miraculously, within 24 hours, Nikki’s lung condition improved significantly. She recovered, eventually co-authoring a book with Rabbi Schlanger titled “Conversations With My Rabbi.”
In a different, tragic event on December 14, 2025, Rabbi Schlanger heroically faced gunmen during an antisemitic attack at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. He tried to negotiate peace but was fatally shot, highlighting his courageous spirit. Despite his untimely death, his wife and child survived the incident, sustaining injuries.
In another instance, a rabbi’s health issues came to light due to a stroke induced while blowing the shofar. This led doctors to discover underlying conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, once again linking the shofar to an unexpected life-saving discovery.
The shofar’s historical significance dates back to the Old Testament, first heard at Mount Sinai during the giving of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites (Exodus 19:16). It continues to inspire and evoke healing and miracles in present times.
Dr. Marc Siegel’s new book, “THE ANGELS AMONG US,” is scheduled for release on November 18, 2026, and is available for preorder.