On Rosh Hashanah, Israel must bring musaf offerings — a bull, a ram, seven lambs, and a goat — in addition to the daily tamid and the Rosh Chodesh offerings.
The mitzvah of the Rosh Hashanah musaf is unique among festival offerings. Alongside the tamid and new moon korbanot, Israel was commanded to bring a bull, ram, lambs, and a goat for atonement. Rambam (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 8:9) codifies the order and details.
Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 309) teaches that these offerings were tied to the day’s themes of judgment and renewal, with the sin offering of the goat symbolizing atonement at the year’s beginning. The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 16a) explains that sacrifices, together with the shofar blasts, aroused Divine mercy. Rashi (Num. 29:1) highlights that “Yom Teruah” connects the musaf to the blasts, showing how korban and sound together defined the day. Midrash Rabbah (Vayikra 29:1) interprets the offerings as establishing Israel’s covenant anew each year.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
Contrast with Rosh Chodesh Musaf (Mitzvah 382):
Parallel to Yom Kippur Musaf (Mitzvah 389):
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