Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 585

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 585 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 1One must blow standing. Rema: And it is our custom to blow on the bimah in the place where we read [Torah].
2. 2Before one blows one makes the blessing "to hear the sound of the shofar" and makes the blessing "shehecheyanu." Rema: And there is no distinction between blessing for oneself or if one has already fulfilled [the obligation of blessing] and blesses to fulfill the obligation of others. Either way, the one blowing makes the two aforementioned blessings (based on Beit Yosef and Trumat HaDeshen). And one blows Tekiyah Shevarim Truah Tekiyah three times; and Tekiyah Shevarim Tekiyah three times; and Tekiyah Truah Tekiyah three times. Rema: And it's best to blow on the right side if possible to blow this way (Minhagim). And also to direct the shofar upwards as it is said "Raise up G-d with the shofar" (Rokeach and Maharil).
3. 3If he starts the blowing and is unable to finish, somebody else should finish. Even if there are three or four, the first's blessing is sufficient. This assumes that the latter blowers are there when the blessing is made. Even if the one who blesses is unable to blow at all, the second blower should blow with no blessing, and the first's will not be a wasted blessing.
4. 4Somebody who is not the prayer leader should blow the shofar so that he not get confused. If he is sure that he can return to his prayers, he is allowed to blow. Rema: The prayer leader is only forbidden from doing the blasts that are part of the prayers. But the blasts that are done sitting down — that is, those before Mussaf — are permitted for the prayer leader to do (Kol Bo). If the prayer leader does not do the sitting down blasts, it is proper for the one who does these to also do the ones during the prayers, because one who starts a mitzvah is told to finish it (Rambam and Orhot Hayim). It is the custom to read to the shofar blower the order of the blasts word by word so that he does not err, and this is a good practice.
5. 5One who is paid to blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah or to lead services or do the translation on Shabbat and holidays will not see good things come of this salary.

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