Mitzvah —
290
To blow the Shofar on the tenth of Tishrei (Yom Kippur of the Jubilee year) to free the slaves
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וְהַֽעֲבַרְתָּ֞ שׁוֹפַ֤ר תְּרוּעָה֙ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִעִ֔י בֶּעָשׂ֖וֹר לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ בְּיוֹם֙ הַכִּפֻּרִ֔ים תַּעֲבִ֥ירוּ שׁוֹפָ֖ר בְּכׇל־אַרְצְכֶֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת בְּהַר
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Leviticus 25:9 - "You shall proclaim [with] the shofar blasts, in the seventh month, on the tenth of the month; on the Day of Atonement, you shall sound the shofar throughout your land."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Temple – בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ
On Yom Kippur of the Jubilee year, the Sanhedrin and leaders of Israel must blow the shofar throughout the land to proclaim liberty and sanctify the Yovel.
This mitzvah commands the blowing of the shofar on Yom Kippur of the Jubilee year. The blast is not merely ceremonial—it marks the release of slaves, the return of ancestral lands, and the proclamation of freedom across Israel. The shofar serves as the national signal that the Yovel has begun in full force.
Rambam teaches that Yovel only takes effect when the shofar is sounded, linking this mitzvah to the sanctification of the year (Mitzvah 289). The symbolism of the shofar—used at Sinai, in battle, and at coronations—here heralds liberty, holiness, and Divine sovereignty. It is a call to justice and renewal for all society.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah V’Yovel 10:12): Rules that the shofar on Yom Kippur is essential for Yovel’s sanctification and the freeing of slaves.
- Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 8b–9a): States that slaves did not return to their homes until after the shofar was blown on Yom Kippur, marking the official start of liberty.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 332): Explains that the shofar publicly announces Hashem’s mastery over the land, instilling reverence and unity among the people.
- Rashi (Leviticus 25:9): Notes that the shofar is blown throughout the land, so all Israel hears the call to freedom and renewal.
- Ramban (Lev. 25:9): Emphasizes that the shofar connects spiritual atonement of Yom Kippur with social and economic redemption of Yovel.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 332) explains that the shofar blast proclaims Hashem’s sovereignty, reminding the nation that freedom and land belong to Him.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Rambam (Hilchot Shemitah V’Yovel 10:12) emphasizes that Yovel is only sanctified when the shofar is blown, elevating the act into holiness.
Justice – צֶדֶק
- Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 8b–9a) teaches that slaves returned home only after the shofar, marking a just reset of social order.
Compassion – רַחֲמִים
- By releasing slaves and restoring families, the shofar announces compassion for the vulnerable and oppressed. (Ramban, Lev. 25:9.)
Community – קְהִלָּה
- Rashi (Lev. 25:9) stresses that the shofar was heard across all Israel, uniting the community in shared renewal.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- The shofar on Yom Kippur links spiritual atonement with social redemption, inspiring awe of Hashem. (Ramban, ad loc.)
Shemitah – שְׁמִטָּה
- Yovel builds on Shemitah’s cycle, and the shofar blast is the pivotal act transitioning from Shemitah cycles into the Jubilee.
Jubilee year / Yovel – יוֹבֵל
- This mitzvah directly establishes Yovel by announcing liberty and renewal. (Leviticus 25:9–10.)
Temple – בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ
- Though proclaimed nationwide, the Sanhedrin in the Temple served as the central authority declaring Yovel. (Rambam, Shemitah V’Yovel 10:12.)
High Court / Judges – סַנְהֶדְרִין / שֹׁפְטִים
- The mitzvah depends on the Sanhedrin’s proclamation, as they lead the formal sanctification of the year.
Kingship – מַלְכוּת
- Historical sources note that kings often joined in national proclamations of liberty, binding monarchy to Torah law.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- The act of shofar-blowing is a mitzvah of sanctifying time before Hashem, aligning the people with His covenant.
Bein Adam L’Chavero – בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ
- The proclamation frees slaves and restores land, repairing human relationships and social justice. (Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 9a.)
