The Mishna on 26B states that the Shofar must have it's mouth plated with gold. Didn't we just learn that "ayn kategar naaseh sanegar". How could gold be placed on the Shofar?
Jay Neufeld
NMB, FL
Dear Jay,
Hello there and thanks for your excellent question. I'm really sorry it took so long for me to answer, but that just shows that this is a very good question.
The Tiferes Yisrael (3:14) points out that the gold covering was not on the mouthpiece as the Gemara proves. "Ain Kateigor Na'aseh Saneigor" prohibits producing the sound with the horn of a cow (or with gold for that matter). Since in this case the gold is not on the mouthpiece, the sound is not being produced from the area where the gold is, thus eliminating the problem you raised.
Kol tuv.
Y. Landy