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Numbers 10:10 - Trumpets announce sacred moments.

Numbers 10:10 - במדבר 10:10

Hebrew Text

וּבְיוֹם שִׂמְחַתְכֶם וּבְמוֹעֲדֵיכֶם וּבְרָאשֵׁי חָדְשֵׁיכֶם וּתְקַעְתֶּם בַּחֲצֹצְרֹת עַל עֹלֹתֵיכֶם וְעַל זִבְחֵי שַׁלְמֵיכֶם וְהָיוּ לָכֶם לְזִכָּרוֹן לִפְנֵי אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם׃

English Translation

Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the Lord your God.

Transliteration

Uv'yom simchatchem uv'mo'adeichem uv'rashei chodsheichem ut'ka'tem bachatzotzrot al oloteichem v'al zivchei shalmeichem v'hayu lachem l'zikaron lifnei Eloheichem ani Adonai Eloheichem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבְי֨וֹם שִׂמְחַתְכֶ֥ם וּֽבְמוֹעֲדֵיכֶם֮ וּבְרָאשֵׁ֣י חׇדְשֵׁיכֶם֒<sup class="footnote-marker">*</sup><i class="footnote">(בספרי ספרד ואשכנז חׇדְשֵׁכֶם֒)</i> וּתְקַעְתֶּ֣ם בַּחֲצֹֽצְרֹ֗ת עַ֚ל עֹלֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וְעַ֖ל זִבְחֵ֣י שַׁלְמֵיכֶ֑ם וְהָי֨וּ לָכֶ֤ם לְזִכָּרוֹן֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וּבְי֨וֹם שִׂמְחַתְכֶ֥ם וּֽבְמוֹעֲדֵיכֶם֮ וּבְרָאשֵׁ֣י חׇדְשֵׁיכֶם֒*(בספרי ספרד ואשכנז חׇדְשֵׁכֶם֒) וּתְקַעְתֶּ֣ם בַּחֲצֹֽצְרֹ֗ת עַ֚ל עֹלֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וְעַ֖ל זִבְחֵ֣י שַׁלְמֵיכֶ֑ם וְהָי֨וּ לָכֶ֤ם לְזִכָּרוֹן֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ {פ}

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context and Source

The verse appears in Bamidbar (Numbers) 10:10, where Hashem commands the Jewish people to sound the chatzotzrot (trumpets) during times of joy, festivals, and Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the month). This mitzvah is connected to the offerings brought in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Beit HaMikdash (Temple).

Purpose of the Trumpets

Rashi explains that the sounding of the trumpets serves as a zikaron (memorial) before Hashem, meaning it evokes divine mercy and remembrance for Israel. The Rambam (Hilchot Ta’aniyot 1:1) elaborates that the trumpets were blown during times of distress as well, demonstrating that they serve as a means of prayer and connection to Hashem in both joyous and difficult times.

Connection to Festivals and Rosh Chodesh

The verse specifies three occasions for sounding the trumpets:

  • Yom Simchatchem ("the day of your gladness")—Rashi interprets this as referring to any joyous occasion, such as a wedding or communal celebration.
  • Moadim ("your solemn days")—This includes the three pilgrimage festivals (Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot). The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 29b) discusses the unique mitzvah of blowing trumpets on these days alongside the shofar.
  • Rashei Chodsheichem ("the beginnings of your months")—The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 15:11) teaches that Rosh Chodesh is a time of renewal, and the trumpets signify Israel’s sanctification of time.

Trumpets and Korbanot (Offerings)

The verse links the trumpets to olot (burnt offerings) and shalmei (peace offerings). The Kli Yakar explains that the sound of the trumpets elevates the korbanot, making them a more complete service before Hashem. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 384) adds that the sound serves as a public declaration of faith, reinforcing the spiritual significance of the sacrifices.

Divine Remembrance and Relationship

The verse concludes with "I am Hashem your God," emphasizing that this mitzvah strengthens the covenant between Hashem and Israel. The Sforno teaches that the trumpets remind us that all joy and festivals are sanctified by our connection to the Divine. The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) notes that this mitzvah ensures that our celebrations remain spiritually focused rather than merely physical.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Rosh Hashanah 26b
The verse is discussed in the context of the mitzvah of blowing trumpets on various occasions, including festivals and the New Moon, as part of the Temple service.
📖 Arakhin 10b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the use of trumpets in the Temple during sacrifices and festive occasions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 10:10 teach us about blowing trumpets?
A: Numbers 10:10 teaches that the Jewish people were commanded to blow trumpets (חֲצֹצְרוֹת) during times of joy, festivals (מוֹעֲדִים), and Rosh Chodesh (ראש חודש, the new month). According to Rashi, this was done alongside sacrifices in the Temple as a remembrance before Hashem. The sound of the trumpets served as a spiritual call to connect with G-d during these special occasions.
Q: Why is blowing trumpets important in Jewish tradition?
A: Blowing trumpets in Jewish tradition, as mentioned in Numbers 10:10, serves as a 'זִכָּרוֹן' (remembrance) before Hashem. The Rambam (Hilchot Klei HaMikdash 3:5) explains that the trumpets were used to inspire awe and focus during sacred moments. Today, while we no longer have the Temple, the shofar (ram's horn) is blown on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, continuing this idea of spiritual awakening.
Q: What are the 'days of gladness' mentioned in Numbers 10:10?
A: The 'days of gladness' (יוֹם שִׂמְחַתְכֶם) refer to times of celebration, such as weddings or communal rejoicing (like Simchat Beit HaShoeivah during Sukkot). The Talmud (Arachin 11a) discusses how trumpets were blown during such events to elevate the joy into a mitzvah and connect it to divine service.
Q: How does Numbers 10:10 apply today without the Temple?
A: Although we no longer have the Temple or sacrifices, the principle of using sound (like the shofar) to mark sacred times remains. The verse teaches us to sanctify moments of joy and festivals with rituals that remind us of Hashem. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 15:12) emphasizes that spiritual 'remembrance' (זִכָּרוֹן) is timeless, encouraging us to find ways to connect with G-d in our own era.
Q: What is the significance of the verse ending with 'I am the Lord your G-d'?
A: The conclusion 'I am the Lord your G-d' (אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם) reinforces that the mitzvah of blowing trumpets is a divine commandment, not just a cultural practice. Ramban explains that this phrase reminds us that our rejoicing and rituals must be directed toward serving Hashem with sincerity, as He alone is the source of holiness and joy.