Mitzvah —
389
To bring additional offerings on Yom Kippur
This page is incomplete.
Help complete the
Mitzvah Minute website.
Do a Mitzvah — Join us in building a living digital Beit Midrash — your partnership makes it possible.
-
וּבֶעָשׂוֹר֩ לַחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜י הַזֶּ֗ה מִֽקְרָא־קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם כׇּל־מְלָאכָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַעֲשֽׂוּ׃ וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֨ם עֹלָ֤ה לַֽיהֹוָה֙ רֵ֣יחַ נִיחֹ֔חַ פַּ֧ר בֶּן־בָּקָ֛ר אֶחָ֖ד אַ֣יִל אֶחָ֑ד כְּבָשִׂ֤ים בְּנֵֽי־שָׁנָה֙ שִׁבְעָ֔ה תְּמִימִ֖ם יִהְי֥וּ לָכֶֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת פִּינְחָס
-
Numbers 29:7-8 - "And on the tenth day of this seventh month, there shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall afflict your souls. You shall not perform any work. You shall offer up a burnt offering to the Lord, [for] a spirit of satisfaction: one young bull, one ram, and seven lambs in the first year; they shall [all] be unblemished."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Holidays – חֲגִים
On Yom Kippur, Israel must bring musaf offerings — bull, ram, lambs, and goat — in addition to the daily tamid and the unique Yom Kippur service.
The Yom Kippur musaf sacrifices were brought alongside the singular avodah of the Kohen Gadol (see Mitzvah 400). Rambam (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 8:10) codifies these offerings: a bull, ram, seven lambs as olot, and a goat as a chatat, in addition to the tamid and the day’s special sin offerings.
Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 310) explains the musaf reflected Yom Kippur’s themes of mercy and atonement, sanctifying the day through communal korbanot. The Talmud (Yoma 70b) details how the musaf was integrated with the High Priest’s service, showing that all of Israel joined in atonement. Rashi (Num. 29:11) notes that this goat was distinct from the two goats of the special avodah, yet it deepened the day’s expiation. Midrash Rabbah (Vayikra 21:6) connects these offerings to Israel’s renewal after sin, like angels restored to purity.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 8:10): Codifies the structure of the Yom Kippur musaf.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 310): Teaches musafim sanctify the day with communal expiation.
- Talmud (Yoma 70b): Links musaf to the avodah of the Kohen Gadol, extending atonement.
- Rashi (Num. 29:11): Distinguishes musaf goat from the two central Yom Kippur goats.
- Midrash Rabbah (Vayikra 21:6): Interprets offerings as Israel’s renewal, becoming like angels.
Contrast with Rosh Hashanah Musaf (Mitzvah 388):
- Judgment vs. Forgiveness: Rosh Hashanah musaf accompanied Divine judgment and the proclamation of kingship (Rambam, Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 8:9; Talmud Rosh Hashanah 16a). Yom Kippur musaf, by contrast, accompanied forgiveness and purification (Sefer HaChinuch 310).
- Tone of Awe vs. Mercy: Rosh Hashanah emphasized awe (yirah), as seen in the shofar and musaf together (Rashi on Num. 29:1). Yom Kippur emphasized mercy and expiation, reflected in its musaf goat (Rashi on Num. 29:11; Midrash Rabbah Vayikra 21:6).
- Placement in the Calendar: Rambam explains Rosh Hashanah sacrifices came at the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, opening the period of judgment. Yom Kippur musaf concluded them, sealing mercy and forgiveness (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:7).
Parallel to Yom Kippur Avodah (Mitzvah 400):
- Communal vs. Singular Service: The musaf was brought communally, while the two goats of the Avodah were unique to the Kohen Gadol. Both worked in tandem (Rambam, Hilchot Avodat Yom HaKippurim 1:2; Talmud Yoma 70b).
- Binding Heaven and Earth: Talmud (Yoma 70b) emphasizes that musaf offerings, combined with the Kohen Gadol’s sprinklings inside the Kodesh, united communal atonement with the sanctuary’s purification.
- Community and Sanctuary: Ramban explains the musaf elevated the community at large, while the Avodah purified the sanctuary and the innermost service (Ramban on Num. 29:11). Midrash Rabbah (Vayikra 21:6) compares Israel on Yom Kippur to angels, renewed in both body and Temple.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Festivals – מוֹעֲדִים
- Rambam (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 8:10) codifies the musafim of Yom Kippur within the cycle of festivals, underscoring their role in communal atonement. Sefer HaChinuch (310) emphasizes that without these offerings, the sanctity of Yom Kippur would not be complete.
Yom Kippur – יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים
- Talmud (Yoma 70b) links the musaf to the Kohen Gadol’s service, expanding the day’s atonement to all of Israel. Midrash Rabbah (Vayikra 21:6) adds that on Yom Kippur Israel was elevated to angelic purity, renewed through sacrifice and fasting.
Temple – בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ
- Rashi (Num. 29:11) notes the musaf sacrifices were distinct from the inner avodah, but sanctified the Temple alongside it. Ramban (on Num. 29:11) explains that the musaf established the Mikdash as the center of national forgiveness.
Sacrifices – קָרְבָּנוֹת
- Rambam (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 8:10) explains the bull, ram, lambs, and goat symbolized layers of atonement, reaching all levels of Israel. Sefer HaChinuch (310) adds that the goat, though not the scapegoat, represented additional expiation for Israel’s communal sins.
Mizbeach – מִזְבֵּחַ
- Talmud (Yoma 70b) emphasizes the Mizbeach was purified and elevated through musafim, harmonizing with the Kohen Gadol’s sprinklings inside the Kodesh. Ramban (Num. 29:11) stresses the altar service completed the day’s expiation.
Priests – כֹּהֲנִים
- Rambam highlights that ordinary Kohanim performed musaf offerings, while the Kohen Gadol alone performed the Avodah (Hilchot Avodat Yom HaKippurim 1:2). This division emphasized unity among the priesthood, integrating communal and singular roles.
Community – קְהִלָּה
- Mishnah (Yoma 7:1) explains musaf offerings were communal, showing that atonement extended to all Israel. Midrash Rabbah (Vayikra 21:6) highlights their role in binding the nation in unity before Hashem.
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (310) stresses these offerings affirmed faith that only Hashem grants forgiveness. Ramban (Num. 29:11) says musafim declared Israel’s reliance on His mercy, especially at the climax of the Ten Days of Repentance.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Talmud (Yoma 20a) teaches the solemnity of Yom Kippur was magnified by musaf offerings. Rambam codifies their precision as an expression of awe (Hilchot Temidin uMusafin 8:10).
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- Ramban (Num. 29:11) stresses that Yom Kippur musafim were wholly directed to Hashem, embodying the covenant of atonement. Midrash Rabbah (Vayikra 21:6) affirms that these korbanot expressed Israel’s total devotion to Him.
