בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ (ויקרא כג, כד), הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (תהלים קיט, פט): לְעוֹלָם ה' דְּבָרְךָ נִצָּב בַּשָּׁמָיִם, תָּנֵי בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בְּעֶשְׂרִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה בֶּאֱלוּל נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם וְאַתְיָא דְרַב כְּהַהִיא דְּתָנֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר, דְּתָנִינָן בִּתְקִיעָתָא דְרַב זֶה הַיּוֹם תְּחִלַּת מַעֲשֶׂיךָ זִכָּרוֹן לְיוֹם רִאשׁוֹן (תהלים פא, ה): כִּי חֹק לְיִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא וגו', וְעַל הַמְדִינוֹת בּוֹ יֵאָמֵר אֵיזוֹ לַחֶרֶב אֵיזוֹ לְשָׁלוֹם אֵיזוֹ לָרָעָב וְאֵיזוֹ לַשּׂוֹבַע וּבְרִיּוֹת בּוֹ יִפָּקֵדוּ לְהַזְכִּירָם לַחַיִּים וְלַמָּוֶת. נִמְצֵאתָ אַתָּה אוֹמֵר בְּיוֹם רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה בְּשָׁעָה רִאשׁוֹנָה עָלָה בַּמַּחֲשָׁבָה, בַּשְּׁנִיָּה נִתְיָעֵץ עִם מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת, בַּשְּׁלִישִׁית כִּנֵּס עֲפָרוֹ, בָּרְבִיעִית גִּבְּלוֹ, בַּחֲמִישִׁית רִקְּמוֹ, בַּשִּׁשִּׁית עֲשָׂאוֹ גֹּלֶם, בַּשְּׁבִיעִית נָפַח בּוֹ נְשָׁמָה, בַּשְּׁמִינִית הִכְנִיסוֹ לַגָּן, בַּתְּשִׁיעִית נִצְטַוָּה, בָּעֲשִׂירִית עָבַר, בְּאַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה נִדּוֹן, בִּשְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה יָצָא בְּדִימוּס. אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְאָדָם, זֶה סִימָן לְבָנֶיךָ כְּשֵׁם שֶׁעָמַדְתָּ לְפָנַי בַּדִּין הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה וְיָצָאתָ בְּדִימוּס, כָּךְ עֲתִידִין בָּנֶיךָ לַעֲמֹד לְפָנַי בַּדִּין בְּיוֹם זֶה וְיוֹצְאִין לְפָנַי בְּדִימוּס, אֵימָתַי בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ. “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first of the month, shall be a rest for you, a remembrance by means of a blast, a holy convocation” (Leviticus 23:24).
“In the seventh month, on the first of the month” – that is what is written: “Forever, Lord, Your word stands in the heavens” (Psalms 119:89). It is taught in the name of Rabbi Eliezer: On the twenty-fifth of Elul, the world was created. Rav’s statement is in accordance with what Rabbi Eliezer taught, as we learned in the tekiata of Rav:1This is a liturgical composition that is recited along with the sounding of the shofar on Rosh HaShana. This day is the beginning of Your works, a commemoration of the first day. “For it is a statute for Israel, [a law of the God of Jacob]” (Psalms 81:5). Regarding the countries, it will be said: Which is for the sword and which is for peace, which is for famine and which is for plenty. The people will be remembered on it, to be ascribed for life or for death. In conclusion, you say: On the day of Rosh HaShana, in the first hour it entered His thoughts,2The thought to create man entered God’s mind, as it were. in the second [hour] He consulted with the ministering angels, in the third He gathered his dust, in the fourth He kneaded it, in the fifth He shaped it, in the sixth He made it into a lifeless body, in the seventh He breathed a soul into him, in the eighth He brought him into the Garden, in the ninth he was commanded,3Adam was commanded not to eat from the Tree of Life. in the tenth he transgressed, in the eleventh he was sentenced, in the twelfth he emerged with a pardon. The Holy One blessed be He said to Adam: ‘This is a portent for your descendants. Just as you stood trial before Me this day and emerged with a pardon, so your descendants are destined to stand trial before Me on this day and emerge before Me with a pardon.’ When? It is “in the seventh month, on the first of the month.”
רַבִּי נַחְמָן פָּתַח (ירמיה ל, י): וְאַתָּה אַל תִּירָא עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב, מְדַבֵּר בְּיַעֲקֹב, דִּכְתִיב (בראשית כח, יב): וַיַּחֲלֹם וְהִנֵּה סֻלָּם מֻצָּב אַרְצָה, אָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָן אֵלּוּ שָׂרֵי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָן מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהֶרְאָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיַעֲקֹב אָבִינוּ שָׂרָהּ שֶׁל בָּבֶל עוֹלֶה שִׁבְעִים עֲוָקִים, וְשֶׁל מָדַי חֲמִשִּׁים וּשְׁנַיִם, וְשֶׁל יָוָן מֵאָה וּשְׁמוֹנִים וְשֶׁל אֱדוֹם עוֹלֶה וְלֹא יוֹדֵעַ כַּמָּה, בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה נִתְיָרֵא יַעֲקֹב אָבִינוּ, אָמַר אֶפְשָׁר שֶׁאֵין לָזֶה יְרִידָה, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: וְאַתָּה אַל תִּירָא עַבְדִּי יַעֲקֹב, אֲפִלּוּ הוּא עוֹלֶה וְיוֹשֵׁב אֶצְלִי מִשָּׁם אֲנִי מוֹרִידוֹ, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (עובדיה א, ד): אִם תַּגְבִּיהַּ כַּנֶּשֶׁר וְאִם בֵּין כּוֹכָבִים שִׂים קִנֶּךָ, אָמַר רַבִּי בֶּרֶכְיָה וְרַבִּי חֶלְבּוֹ וְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחָאי בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי מֵאִיר מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהֶרְאָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיַעֲקֹב שָׂרָהּ שֶׁל בָּבֶל עוֹלֶה וְיוֹרֵד, שֶׁל מָדַי עוֹלֶה וְיוֹרֵד, וְשֶׁל יָוָן עוֹלֶה וְיוֹרֵד, וְשֶׁל אֱדוֹם עוֹלֶה וְיוֹרֵד, אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיַעֲקֹב אַף אַתָּה עוֹלֶה, בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה נִתְיָרֵא יַעֲקֹב אָבִינוּ וְאָמַר שֶׁמָּא חַס וְשָׁלוֹם כְּשֵׁם שֶׁלְּאֵלּוּ יְרִידָה אַף לִי כֵן, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: וְאַתָּה אַל תִּירָא, אִם אַתָּה עוֹלֶה אֵין לְךָ יְרִידָה עוֹלָמִית, לֹא הֶאֱמִין וְלֹא עָלָה. אָמַר רַבִּי בֶּרֶכְיָה וְרַבִּי חֶלְבּוֹ בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחָאי, רַבִּי מֵאִיר הָיָה דוֹרֵשׁ (תהלים עח, לב): בְּכָל זֹאת חָטְאוּ עוֹד וְלֹא הֶאֱמִינוּ בְּנִפְלְאוֹתָיו, זֶה אָבִינוּ יַעֲקֹב שֶׁלֹּא הֶאֱמִין וְלֹא עָלָה, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אִלּוּ הֶאֱמַנְתָּ וְעָלִיתָ עוֹד לֹא יָרַדְתָּ, וְעַכְשָׁיו שֶׁלֹּא הֶאֱמַנְתָּ וְלֹא עָלִיתָ עֲתִידִין בָּנֶיךָ שֶׁיְהוּ מִשְׁתַּעְבְּדִין בְּאַרְבַּע מַלְכֻיּוֹת בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה בְּמִסִּים וּבְאַרְנוֹנִיּוֹת וּבְזִימִיּוֹת וּבְגֻלְגָלִיּוֹת, בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה נִתְיָרֵא יַעֲקֹב, אָמַר לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם יָכוֹל לְעוֹלָם, אָמַר לוֹ (ירמיה ל, י): וְאַל תֵּחַת יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי הִנְנִי מוֹשִׁיעֲךָ מֵרָחוֹק, כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר (ישעיה לט, ג): מֵאֶרֶץ רְחוֹקָה בָּאוּ אֵלַי מִבָּבֶל, (ירמיה ל, י): וְאֶת זַרְעֲךָ מֵאֶרֶץ שִׁבְיָם, מִגַּלְיָא וּמֵאַסְפַּמְיָא וּמֵחַבְרוֹתֶיהָ. (ירמיה ל, י): וְשָׁב יַעֲקֹב מִבָּבֶל, (ירמיה ל, י): וְשָׁקַט מִמָּדַי, (ירמיה ל, י): וְשַׁאֲנָן מִיָּוָן, (ירמיה ל, י): וְאֵין מַחֲרִיד מֵאֱדוֹם, (ירמיה ל, יא): כִּי אֶעֱשֶׂה כָלָה בְּכָל הַגּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר הִדַּחְתִּיךָ שָׁמָּה, אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֵן מְכַלִּין אֶת שְׂדוֹתֵיהֶן אֶעֱשֶׂה כָלָה, (ירמיה ל, יא): וְאוֹתָךְ לֹא אֶעֱשֶׂה כָלָה, אֲבָל יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁאֵין מְכַלִּים שְׂדוֹתֵיהֶם כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר (ויקרא כג, כב): לֹא תְכַלֶּה פְּאַת שָׂדְךָ, לֹא אֶעֱשֶׂה כָלָה. (ירמיה ל, יא): וְיִסַּרְתִּיךָ לַמִּשְׁפָּט, מְיַסֶּרְךָ בְּיִסּוּרִין בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה כְּדֵי לְנַקּוֹתְךָ מֵעֲוֹנוֹתֶיךָ לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא, אֵימָתַי בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי. Rabbi Naḥman began: “You, have no fear, My servant Jacob” (Jeremiah 30:10) – it is speaking of Jacob, as it is written: “He dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set on the ground…[God’s angels were ascending and descending on it]” (Genesis 28:12). Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: These are the guardian angels of the nations of the world, as Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: It teaches that the Holy One blessed be He showed him the guardian angel of Babylon ascending seventy rungs, [the guardian angel] of Media [ascending] fifty–two, [the guardian angel] of Greece [ascending] one hundred and eighty, and [the guardian angel] of Edom ascending, but [Jacob] did not know how many.4The guardian angel of Edom, a nation traditionally understood to be the forebear of Rome, seemed to be ascending continuously and not descending. At that moment, Jacob our patriarch grew fearful. He said: ‘Is it possible that this one has no descent?’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘“You, have no fear, My servant Jacob,” even if it ascends and sits near Me, I will bring it down from there.’ That is what is written: “If you raise yourself like the eagle, or place your nest among the stars, [from there I will bring you down, the utterance of the Lord]” (Obadiah 1:4).
Rabbi Berekhya, Rabbi Ḥelbo, and Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai said in the name of Rabbi Meir: It teaches that the Holy One blessed be He showed Jacob the guardian angel of Babylon ascending and descending, of Media ascending and descending, of Greece ascending and descending, and of Edom ascending and descending. The Holy One blessed be He said to Jacob: ‘You, too, will ascend.’ At that moment, Jacob our patriarch grew fearful and said: ‘Perhaps, God forbid, just as there was descent for these, so it will be for me.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘“You, have no fear,” if you ascend, there will be no descent for you forever.’ He did not believe, and he did not ascend.
Rabbi Berekhya, Rabbi Ḥelbo, and Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai said: Rabbi Meir would expound: “Nonetheless, they continued to sin and did not believe in His wonders” (Psalms 78:32), this is Jacob our patriarch, who did not believe and did not ascend. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Had you believed and ascended, you would never have descended. Now that you did not believe and did not ascend, your descendants will be subjugated by the four kingdoms in this world with land taxes, produce taxes, animal taxes, and head taxes.’ At that moment, Jacob grew fearful. He said before the Holy One blessed be He: ‘Master of the universe, is it, perhaps, forever?’ He said to him: “Do not be afraid, Israel, as, behold, I will save you from afar” (Jeremiah 30:10).
Just as it says: “They came to me from a distant land, from Babylon” (Isaiah 39:3). “And your descendants from the land of their captivity” (Jeremiah 30:10), that is from Gaul, from Spain, and from its allies. “And Jacob will return” (Jeremiah 30:10) from Babylon, “and be calm” (Jeremiah 30:10), from Media, “and tranquil” (Jeremiah 30:10), from Greece, “and there is none to cause trembling” (Jeremiah 30:10), from Edom. “For I will bring annihilation upon all the nations to which I dispersed you” (Jeremiah 30:11), upon the nations of the world who reap their entire fields, I will bring annihilation. “But I will not bring annihilation upon you” (Jeremiah 30:11); but upon Israel, who do not reap their entire fields, as it says: “You shall not reap the corner of your field” (Leviticus 23:22), I will not bring annihilation. “I will chastise you with justice” (Jeremiah 30:11), I will afflict you with suffering in this world in order to cleanse you of your iniquities in the future. When? It is in the seventh month.5Some suggest that there are missing words in the midrash, and the text is to be understood as saying that during the time of justice, namely on Rosh HaShana, in the seventh month, the suffering needed in order to cleanse one of iniquities can be foregone for those who have supported the poor. This is derived from the juxtaposition of the law requiring leaving a corner of one’s field for the poor and the verses regarding Rosh HaShana (Leviticus 23:22–24; Rabbi David Luria).
רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בְּרַבִּי נַחְמָן פָּתַח (תהלים מז, ו): עָלָה אֱלֹהִים בִּתְרוּעָה ה' בְּקוֹל שׁוֹפָר, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יוֹשֵׁב וְעוֹלֶה עַל כִּסֵּא דִּין, בַּדִּין הוּא עוֹלֶה, מַאי טַעַם, עָלָה אֱלֹהִים בִּתְרוּעָה, וּבְשָׁעָה שֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵל נוֹטְלִין אֶת שׁוֹפְרֵיהֶן וְתוֹקְעִין לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, עוֹמֵד מִכִּסֵּא הַדִּין וְיוֹשֵׁב בְּכִסֵּא רַחֲמִים, דִּכְתִיב: ה' בְּקוֹל שׁוֹפָר, וּמִתְמַלֵּא עֲלֵיהֶם רַחֲמִים וּמְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם וְהוֹפֵךְ עֲלֵיהֶם מִדַּת הַדִּין לְרַחֲמִים, אֵימָתַי בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי. Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Naḥman began: “God ascends with a blast, the Lord with the sound of a shofar” (Psalms 47:6). When the Holy One blessed be He sits and ascends on the throne of justice, He ascends in justice.6He begins the proceedings with the divine attribute of justice. What is the source? “God [Elohim]7Elohim is the name of God that represents the attribute of justice. ascends with a blast.” When Israel take their shofars and sound them before the Holy One blessed be He, He rises from the throne of justice and sits on the throne of mercy, as it is written: “The Lord8The Tetragrammaton, translated as Lord, is the name of God that represents the attribute of mercy. with the sound of a shofar.” When? In the seventh month.
רַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה פָּתַח (תהלים פט, טז): אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם יֹדְעֵי תְרוּעָה ה' בְּאוֹר פָּנֶיךָ יְהַלֵּכוּן, רַבִּי אַבָּהוּ פָּתַר קְרָא בַּחֲמִשָּׁה זְקֵנִים שֶׁהֵם נִכְנָסִים לְעַבֵּר אֶת הַשָּׁנָה, מָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עוֹשֶׂה מַנִּיחַ סַנְקְלִיטִין שֶׁלּוֹ מִלְּמַעְלָן וְיוֹרֵד וּמְצַמְצֵם שְׁכִינָתוֹ בֵּינֵיהֶם מִלְּמַטָּן, מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת אוֹמְרִים הָא תַּקִּיף הָא תַּקִּיף, הָא אֱלָהָא הָא אֱלָהָא, מִי שֶׁכָּתוּב בּוֹ (תהלים פט, ח): אֵל נַעֲרָץ בְּסוֹד קְדשִׁים רַבָּה, מֵנִיחַ סַנְקְלִיטִין שֶׁלּוֹ וּמְצַמְצֵם שְׁכִינָתוֹ בֵּינֵיהֶם לְמַטָּה, כָּל כָּךְ לָמָּה, שֶׁאִם טָעוּ בִּדְבַר הֲלָכָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מֵאִיר פְּנֵיהֶם, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב: בְּאוֹר פָּנֶיךָ יְהַלֵּכוּן. אָמַר רַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה, כְּתִיב: אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם יֹדְעֵי תְרוּעָה, וְכִי אֵין אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם יוֹדְעִים לְהָרִיעַ, כַּמָּה קְרָנוֹת יֵשׁ לָהֶן, כַּמָּה בּוּקִינוּס יֵשׁ לָהֶם, כַּמָּה סַלְפִּירְגָסִי יֵשׁ לָהֶם, וְאָמַרְתָּ: אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם יֹדְעֵי תְרוּעָה, אֶלָּא שֶׁהֵן מַכִּירִין לְפַתּוֹת אֶת בּוֹרְאָן בִּתְרוּעָה, וְהוּא עוֹמֵד מִכִּסֵּא הַדִּין לְכִסֵּא רַחֲמִים וּמִתְמַלֵּא עֲלֵיהֶם רַחֲמִים וְהוֹפֵךְ לָהֶם מִדַּת הַדִּין לְמִדַּת רַחֲמִים, אֵימָתַי בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי. Rabbi Yoshiya began: “Happy are the people who know the blast; they walk, Lord, in the light of Your countenance” (Psalms 89:16). Rabbi Abahu interpreted the verse regarding five elders who convene to intercalate the year. What does the Holy One blessed be He do? He leaves His Heavenly Council on High and contracts His Divine Presence in their midst below. The ministering angels say: ‘Is this the Mighty? Is this the Mighty? Is this the God? Is this the God?9Is this appropriate conduct for the mighty God? Does He, in whose regard it is written: “The Almighty is revered in the great assembly of the holy” (Psalms 89:8), leave His Heavenly Council on High and contract His Divine Presence in their midst below?’ Why to that extent? So that if they err regarding a matter of halakha, He will illuminate their countenance.10God’s presence is in their midst in order to ensure that they do not err. Alternatively, it is because even if they do err, God will ratify their decision (see Etz Yosef). That is what is written: “They walk, Lord, in the light of Your countenance.”
Rabbi Yoshiya said: It is written: “Happy are the people who know the blast.” Are there no nations of the world who know how to sound a blast? How many horns do they have? How many trumpets do they have? How many bugles do they have? Yet you say: “Happy are the people who know the blast”? It is, rather, that they know how to appease their Creator with the blast. He rises from His throne of justice and becomes filled with mercy toward them and transforms the attribute of justice to the attribute of mercy. When? In the seventh month.
רַבִּי בֶּרֶכְיָה פָּתַח בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי יִרְמְיָה (משלי טו, כד): אֹרַח חַיִּים לְמַעְלָה לְמַשְׂכִּיל, אֵין אֹרַח חַיִּים אֶלָּא תּוֹרָה, כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר (משלי ג, יח): עֵץ חַיִּים הִיא לַמַּחֲזִיקִים בָּהּ. דָּבָר אַחֵר, אֹרַח חַיִּים לְמַעְלָה לְמַשְׂכִּיל, אֵין אוֹרַח אֶלָּא יִסּוּרִין, כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר (משלי ו, כג): וְדֶרֶךְ חַיִּים תּוֹכְחוֹת מוּסָר, לְמַעְלָה לְמַשְׂכִּיל, לְמִי שֶׁמִּסְתַּכֵּל לְמִצְוֹתֶיהָ שֶׁל תּוֹרָה, מַה כְּתִיב לְמַעְלָה מִן הָעִנְיָן (ויקרא כג, כב): לֹא תְכַלֶּה פְּאַת שָׂדְךָ. Rabbi Berekhya began in the name of Rabbi Yirmeya: “The path of life goes upward for the intelligent” (Proverbs 15:24). “The path of life” is nothing other than Torah, just as it says: “It is a tree of life for those who grasp it” (Proverbs 3:18). Alternatively, “The path of life goes upward for the intelligent,” just as it says: “Rebukes of admonition are the path of life,” (Proverbs 6:23). “Upward for the intelligent,” this is to one who looks at the mitzvot of the Torah. What is written before this matter?11Literally, what is written above this matter, meaning before the verse: ”In the seventh month, on the first of the month.” “You shall not reap the corner of your field” (Leviticus 23:22).
רַבִּי בֶּרֶכְיָה פָּתַח (תהלים פא, ד): תִּקְעוּ בַּחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר, וְכִי כָּל הֶחֳדָשִׁים אֵינָן חֹדֶשׁ אֶלָּא בַּכֶּסֶה, וְכָל הֶחֳדָשִׁים אֵינָן נִכְסִין אֶלָּא לְיוֹם חַגֵּנוּ, וַהֲלוֹא נִיסָן חֹדֶשׁ נִכְסֶה וְיֵשׁ לוֹ חַג בִּפְנֵי עַצְמוֹ, אֶלָּא אֵיזֶהוּ חֹדֶשׁ שֶׁנִּכְסֶה וְיֵשׁ לוֹ חַג, וְחַגּוֹ בֶּן יוֹמוֹ, אִי אַתָּה מוֹצֵא אֶלָּא בְּחֹדֶשׁ תִּשְׁרֵי, בְּחֹדֶשׁ זֶה תְּחַדְּשׁוּ מַעֲשֵׂיכֶם בַּשּׁוֹפָר, בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה שַׁפְּרוּ מַעֲשֵׂיכֶם. אָמַר לָהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, אִם שִׁפַּרְתֶּם מַעֲשֵׂיכֶם הֲרֵינִי נַעֲשָׂה לָכֶם כַּשּׁוֹפָר הַזֶּה, מַה שּׁוֹפָר זֶה מַכְנִיס בָּזוֹ וּמוֹצִיא בָּזוֹ, כָּךְ אֲנִי עוֹמֵד מִכִּסֵּא הַדִּין וְיוֹשֵׁב עַל כִּסֵּא רַחֲמִים וְהוֹפֵךְ לָכֶם מִדַּת הַדִּין לְמִדַּת רַחֲמִים, אֵימָתַי בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי. Rabbi Berekhya began: “Sound the shofar at the New Moon [at the covering of our festive day]” (Psalms 81:4). Are all the months not the New Moon?12How is it clear from the verse that the mitzva to sound the shofar is specific to Rosh HaSshana? “At the covering,”13The moon is not visible at the beginning of every month. – is [the moon] not covered [at the beginning] of all months? Rather, “of our festive day.” But is Nisan also not a month that is covered and has its own festival? Rather, which is the month that is covered, has a festival, and its festival is on that day? You find it only in the month of Tishrei. In this month, renew your actions.14The phrase “at the New Moon [baḥodesh]” is expounded to mean renew [teḥadeshu] your actions, meaning reexamine and improve your ways. “The shofar” – in this month, improve [shaperu] your actions. The Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘If you have improved your actions, I will become like this shofar for you. Just as this shofar takes in from this side and lets out from that side, so I rise from My throne of justice and sit on My throne of mercy and transform the attribute of justice to the attribute of mercy.’ When? In the seventh month.
רַבִּי לֵוִי בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי חָמָא בֶּן רַבִּי חֲנִינָא פָּתַח (ישעיה מח, יז): כֹּה אָמַר ה' גֹּאַלְךָ קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲנִי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ מְלַמֶּדְךָ לְהוֹעִיל, מְסַקֵּד לָךְ כְּמָה דְהָדֵין מְסָאסָא מְסַקֵּד לַהֲדָא פָּרָתָא, שָׁלשׁ שֵׁמוֹת נִקְרָא לוֹ, מַלְמַד, מַרְדֵּעַ, דָּרְבָן. מַלְמַד, שֶׁמְלַמֵּד הַפָּרָה לַחֲרשׁ כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּתֵּן חַיִּים לִבְעָלֶיהָ. מַרְדֵּעַ, שֶׁמּוֹרֶה דַּעַת לַפָּרָה. דָּרְבָן, שֶׁמּוֹרֶה בִּינָה לַפָּרָה. אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וּמָה אִם לְפָרָתוֹ עוֹשֶׂה אָדָם דָּרְבָן, לְיִצְרוֹ הָרַע שֶׁמּוֹצִיאוֹ מֵחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וְהַבָּא, עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה. (ישעיה מח, יז): מַדְרִיכְךָ בְּדֶרֶךְ תֵּלֵךְ, רַבִּי לֵוִי בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי חָמָא בְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא אָמַר מָשָׁל לְבֶן מְלָכִים שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ דִּין בִּפְנֵי אָבִיו, אָמַר לוֹ אָבִיו וְאִם אַתָּה מְבַקֵּשׁ לִזְכּוֹת לְפָנַי בַּדִּין בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה מַנֵּי נִקּוֹלוֹגוֹס פְּלוֹנִי וְאַתְּ זָכֵי לְפָנַי בַּדִּין. כָּךְ אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, בָּנַי, אִם אַתֶּם מְבַקְּשִׁים לִזְכּוֹת לְפָנַי בַּדִּין בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה, תִּהְיוּ מַזְכִּירִין זְכוּת אָבוֹת וְאַתֶּם זוֹכִין לְפָנַי בַּדִּין. בְּאֶחָד זֶה אַבְרָהָם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (יחזקאל לג, כד): אֶחָד הָיָה אַבְרָהָם. (ויקרא כג, כד): זִכְרוֹן תְּרוּעָה, זֶה יִצְחָק, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית כב, כג): וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה אַיִל, (ויקרא כג, כד): מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ, זֶה יַעֲקֹב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה מח, יב): שְׁמַע אֵלַי יַעֲקֹב וְיִשְׂרָאֵל מְקֹרָאִי. וְאֵימָתַי תִּהְיוּ מַזְכִּירִין זְכוּת אָבוֹת וְאַתֶּם זוֹכִין לְפָנַי בַּדִּין, בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי. Rabbi Levi in the name of Rabbi Ḥama ben Rabbi Ḥanina began: “So said the Lord, your Redeemer, Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you [melamedkha] for your benefit, [Who guides you on the way you should go]” (Isaiah 48:17). He goads you with a prod the way a cattle prod pokes a cow. [The cattle prod] has three names: Malmad, marde’a, dorvan. Malmad, as it teaches [melamed] the cow to plow so it can give life to its owner. Marde’a, as it imparts knowledge [moreh daat] to the cow. Dorvan, as it imparts understanding [moreh bina] to the cow. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘If for his cow a person crafts a goad, for one’s evil inclination, which expels him from this world and the one to come, all the more so.’
“Who guides you on the way you should go” (Isaiah 48:17) – Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Ḥama ben Rabbi Ḥanina: This is analogous to the son of kings who stood trial before his father. His father said: ‘If you seek to be exonerated before me in judgment on this day, appoint as your advocate so-and-so and you will be exonerated before me in judgment.’ So the Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘My children, if you seek to be exonerated in judgment before Me on this day, mention the merit of the patriarchs and you will be exonerated before Me in judgment.’
“On the first [of the month],” this is Abraham, as it is stated: “Abraham was one” (Ezekiel 33:24). “A remembrance by means of a blast,” this is Isaac, as it is stated: “He saw, and behold, a ram” (Genesis 22:13). “A holy convocation [mikra kodesh],” this is Jacob, as it is stated: “Listen to Me Jacob, Israel who was called by Me [mekora’i]” (Isaiah 48:12). When will you mention the merit of the patriarchs and be exonerated before Me in judgment? In the seventh month.
רַבִּי חִיָּא בַּר אַבָּא בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי לֵוִי פָּתַח (תהלים סב, י): אַךְ הֶבֶל בְּנֵי אָדָם כָּזָב בְּנֵי אִישׁ בְּמֹאזְנַיִם לַעֲלוֹת הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יָחַד, בְּנֹהַג שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם מָה הַבְּרִיּוֹת אוֹמְרִים אִישׁ פְּלוֹנִי נוֹשֵׂא פְּלוֹנִית, אַךְ הֶבֶל בְּנֵי אָדָם, פְּלוֹנִית תִּנָשֵׂא לִפְלוֹנִי, כָּזָב בְּנֵי אִישׁ הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יָחַד. אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּא עַד שֶׁהֵן עֲשׂוּיִין הֶבֶל בְּתוֹךְ מְעֵי אִמָּן הֵם יָחַד. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן כָּל הֲבָלִים וּכְזָבִים שֶׁבְּנֵי אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ עוֹשִׂים בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה כְּדַאי הוּא לְכַפֵּר בְּעַד כֻּלָּם, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (יהושע יד, טו): הָאָדָם הַגָּדוֹל בַּעֲנָקִים. בְּמֹאזְנַיִם לַעֲלוֹת, בְּמֹאזְנַיִם הוּא מִתְכַּפֵּר לָהֶם, בְּחֹדֶשׁ שֶׁמַּזָּלוֹ מֹאזְנַיִם, וְאֵיזֶה זֶה חֹדֶשׁ תִּשְׁרֵי, תִּשְׁרֵי וְתִשְׁבּוֹק וּתְכַפֵּר עַל חוֹבֵי עַמָּךְ, אֵימָתַי בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי, דָּבָר אַחֵר, בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי, שֶׁהוּא מְשֻׂבָּע בַּכֹּל, גִּתּוֹת בְּתוֹכוֹ, בְּרָכוֹת בְּתוֹכוֹ, כִּפּוּר בְּתוֹכוֹ, סֻכָּה בְּתוֹכוֹ, לוּלָּב וַעֲרָבָה בְּתוֹכוֹ. Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba in the name of Rabbi Levi began: “People are nothingness; men are but deceit; they rise together on a scale, lighter than nothingness” (Psalms 62:10). According to the way of the world, what do people say? So-and-so man shall marry so-and-so woman – [but] “people are nothingness.”15People may think that it would be good for a man to marry a particular woman, but that is not why a marriage will take place or succeed. So-and-so woman will be married to so-and-so man – but “men are but deceit.” “They rise together on a scale, lighter than nothingness.” Rabbi Ḥiyya said: While they are still nothingness in their mother’s womb, they are together.16There is a divine decree that determines from before birth who will marry whom.
Rav Naḥman said: All the acts of vanity and deceit that the descendants of Abraham our patriarch perform in this world, he is worthy to atone for all of them. That is what is written: “The greatest man among giants” (Joshua 14:15). “They rise together on a scale,” on the scale he atones for them, in the month whose constellation is Libra.17This is the seventh astrological sign in the zodiac, and is represented by a scale. Which is that? It is the month of Tishrei. You will atone [tishrei] and forgive all the sins of Your people. When? In the seventh month. Alternatively, “in the seventh [hashevi’i] month,” as it is plentiful [mesuba] in all respects; the wine presses and olive presses are [active] in it, there are blessings in it.18It is the time of year when the crops are gathered. Yom Kippur is in it, sukka is in it, lulav and arava are in it.
דָּבָר אַחֵר, בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי, רַבִּי בֶּרֶכְיָה הָיָה קָרֵי לֵיהּ יַרְחָא דִּשְׁבוּעֲתָא, שֶׁבּוֹ נִשְׁבַּע הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְאַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (בראשית כב, טז): וַיֹּאמֶר בִּי נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי נְאֻם ה', מַה צֹּרֶךְ הָיָה לִשְׁבוּעָה, רַבִּי בִּיבֵי בַּר אַבָּא בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר עָמַד אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ בִּתְפִלָּה וְתַחֲנוּנִים לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְאָמַר לְפָנָיו רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם גָּלוּי וְיָדוּעַ לְפָנֶיךָ בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַרְתָּ לִי (בראשית כב, ב): קַח נָא אֶת בִּנְךָ אֶת יְחִידְךָ, הָיָה בְּלִבִּי מַה לַּהֲשִׁיבְךָ, וְהָיָה בְּלִבִּי מַה לֵּאמֹר, אֶתְמוֹל אָמַרְתָּ לִי (בראשית כא, יב): כִּי בְיִצְחָק יִקָּרֵא לְךָ זָרַע, וְעַכְשָׁיו אַתָּה אוֹמֵר לִי (בראשית כב, ב): וְהַעֲלֵהוּ שָׁם לְעוֹלָה, אֶלָּא כְּשֵׁם שֶׁהָיָה לִי מַה לַּהֲשִׁיבְךָ וְכָבַשְׁתִּי אֶת יִצְרִי וְלֹא הֲשִׁיבוֹתִיךָ (תהלים לח, עד): כְחֵרֵשׁ לֹא אֶשְׁמָע וּכְאִלֵּם לֹא יִפְתַּח פִּיו, כָּךְ כְּשֶׁיִּהְיוּ בָּנָיו שֶׁל יִצְחָק בָּאִים לִידֵי עֲבֵרוֹת וּמַעֲשִׂים רָעִים תְּהֵא מַזְכִּיר לָהֶם עֲקֵדַת יִצְחָק אֲבִיהֶם וַעֲמֹד מִכִּסֵּא הַדִּין לְכִסֵּא רַחֲמִים וּמִתְמַלֵּא עֲלֵיהֶם רַחֲמִים, וּתְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם וְתַהֲפֹךְ לָהֶם מִדַּת הַדִין לְמִדַּת רַחֲמִים, אֵימָתַי בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי. Another matter, “in the seventh month” – Rabbi Berekhya would call it the month of the oath, for in it the Holy One blessed be He took an oath to Abraham our patriarch of blessed memory. That is what is written: “He said: I have taken an oath by Myself, the utterance of the Lord” (Genesis 22:16). What need was there for an oath? Rav Beivai bar Abaye said in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan: Abraham our patriarch stood in prayer and supplication before the Holy One blessed be He and said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, it is revealed and known before You that when You said to me: “Take now your son, your only one” (Genesis 22:2), I had in my heart what to answer You, and I had in my heart what to say: Yesterday You said to me: “For it is through Isaac that offspring will be considered yours” (Genesis 21:12), and now You say to me: “Offer him up there as a burnt offering”? (Genesis 22:2). However, just as I had what to answer You, but I suppressed my evil inclination and did not answer You, “Like one who is deaf, who does not hear; like a mute who does not open his mouth” (Psalms 38:14), so when Isaac’s descendants engage in transgressions and wicked deeds, recall for them the binding of Isaac their patriarch, and rise from the throne of justice to the throne of mercy, become filled with mercy upon them, have mercy upon them, and transform the attribute of justice to the attribute of mercy on their behalf.’ When? In the seventh month.
וַיִּשָּׂא אַבְרָהָם אֶת עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה אַיִל אַחַר נֶאֱחַז בַּסְבַךְ בְּקַרְנָיו (בראשית כב, יג), מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהֶרְאָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְאַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ אֶת הָאַיִל נִתַּשׁ מֵחוֹרֶשׁ זֶה וְנִסְבַּךְ בְּחֹרֶשׁ אַחֵר. אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְאַבְרָהָם כָּךְ עֲתִידִין בָּנֶיךָ לִהְיוֹת נֶאֱחָזִים בַּעֲוֹנוֹת וְנִסְבָּכִים בְּצָרוֹת וְסוֹפָן לִגָּאֵל בְּקַרְנָיו שֶׁל אַיִל, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (זכריה ט, יד): וַה' אֱלֹהִים בַּשּׁוֹפָר יִתְקָע, אָמַר רַבִּי הוּנָא בְּרַבִּי יִצְחָק מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהֶרְאָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְאַבְרָהָם אֶת הָאַיִל נִתַּשׁ מֵחֹרֶשׁ זֶה וְנִסְבַּךְ בְּחֹרֶשׁ זֶה, אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְאַבְרָהָם כָּךְ הֵם עֲתִידִין בָּנֶיךָ, נֶאֱחָזִין בָּאֻמּוֹת, וְנִסְבָּכִין בְּצָרוֹת וְנִמְשָׁכִין מִמַּלְכוּת לְמַלְכוּת, מִבָּבֶל לְמָדַי, מִמָּדַי לְיָוָן, וּמִיָּוָן לֶאֱדוֹם, וְסוֹפָן לִגָּאֵל בְּקַרְנָיו שֶׁל אַיִל, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (זכריה ט, יד): וַה' עֲלֵיהֶם יֵרָאֶה וְיָצָא כַבָּרָק חִצּוֹ וגו' בַּשּׁוֹפָר יִתְקָע. רַבִּי אַבָּא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב פַּפֵּי וְרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ דְּסִכְנִין בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי לֵוִי אָמַר, כָּל יְמוֹת הַשָּׁנָה יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹסְקִין בִּמְלַאכְתָּן וּבְרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה נוֹטְלִין שׁוֹפְרוֹתֵיהֶן וְתוֹקְעִין לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְהוּא עוֹמֵד מִכִּסֵּא דִּין לְכִסֵּא רַחֲמִים וּמִתְמַלֵּא עֲלֵיהֶם רַחֲמִים, אֵימָתַי בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי. “Abraham lifted his eyes and saw that behold, there was a ram, after it had been entangled in the thicket by its horns” (Genesis 22:13), this teaches that the Holy One blessed be He showed Abraham our patriarch the ram freeing itself from one thicket and becoming entangled in another thicket. The Holy One blessed be He said to Abraham: ‘Thus your descendants are destined to be caught in iniquities and entangled in troubles and ultimately, be redeemed with the horns of a ram.’ That is what is written: “The Lord God will sound the shofar” (Zechariah 9:14).
Rabbi Huna ben Rabbi Yitzḥak said: It teaches that the Holy One blessed be He showed Abraham our patriarch the ram freeing itself from one thicket and becoming entangled in another thicket. The Holy One blessed be He said to Abraham: ‘Thus your descendants are destined to be caught among the nations, entangled in troubles, and drawn from kingdom to kingdom: From Babylon to Media, from Media to Greece and from Greece to Edom. They will ultimately be redeemed by the horns of a ram.’ That is what is written: “The Lord will appear over them, and His arrow will emerge like lightning; and the Lord God will sound the shofar” (Zechariah 9:14).
Rabbi Abba son of Rav Pappi and Rabbi Yehoshua of Sikhnin said in the name of Rabbi Levi: All the days of the year, Israel is engaged in their labor and on Rosh HaShana they take their shofars and sound them before the Holy One blessed be He. He rises from the throne of justice to the throne of mercy and becomes filled with mercy for them. When? In the seventh month.
כָּל הַשְּׁבִיעִין חֲבִיבִין לְעוֹלָם, לְמַעְלָן הַשְּׁבִיעִי חָבִיב, שָׁמַיִם וּשְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם וְרָקִיעַ וּשְׁחָקִים, זְבוּל וּמָעוֹן וַעֲרָבוֹת, וּכְתִיב (תהלים סח, ה): סֹלוּ לָרֹכֵב בָּעֲרָבוֹת בְּיָהּ שְׁמוֹ. בָּאֲרָצוֹת, שְׁבִיעִית חֲבִיבָה: אֶרֶץ, אֲדָמָה, אַרְקָא, גַּיְא, צִיָה, נְשִׁיָּה, תֵּבֵל. וּכְתִיב (תהלים ט, ט): וְהוּא יִשְׁפֹּט תֵּבֵל בְּצֶדֶק יָדִין לְאֻמִּים בְּמֵישָׁרִים. בַּדּוֹרוֹת שְׁבִיעִי חָבִיב: אָדָם, שֵׁת, אֱנוֹשׁ, קֵינָן, מַהַלַּלְאֵל, יֶרֶד, חֲנוֹךְ. וּכְתִיב (בראשית ה, כד): וַיִּתְהַלֵּךְ חֲנוֹךְ אֶת הָאֱלֹהִים. בָּאָבוֹת שְׁבִיעִי חָבִיב: אַבְרָהָם, יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב, לֵוִי, קְהָת, עַמְרָם, משֶׁה. וּכְתִיב (שמות יט, ג): וּמשֶׁה עָלָה אֶל הָאֱלֹהִים. בְּבָנִים הַשְּׁבִיעִי חָבִיב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברי הימים א ב, טו): דָּוִיד [הוא] הַשְּׁבִעִי. בַּמְּלָכִים הַשְּׁבִיעִי חָבִיב: שָׁאוּל, אִישׁ בּשֶׁת, דָּוִד, שְׁלֹמֹה, רְחַבְעָם, אֲבִיָה, אָסָא. וּכְתִיב (דברי הימים ב יד, י): וַיִּקְרָא אָסָא אֶל ה'. בַּשָּׁנִים שְׁבִיעִי חָבִיב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות כג, יא): וְהַשְּׁבִיעִית תִּשְׁמְטֶנָּה וּנְטַשְׁתָּהּ. בַּשְּׁמִטִּין שְׁבִיעִי חָבִיב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא כה, י): וְקִדַּשְׁתֶּם אֵת שְׁנַת הַחֲמִשִּׁים. בַּיָּמִים שְׁבִיעִי חָבִיב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית ב, ג): וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי. בֶּחֳדָשִׁים שְׁבִיעִי חָבִיב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא כג, כד): בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי בְּאֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ. All the sevens are forever beloved. Above, the seventh is beloved: Shamayim, shemei shamayim, rakia, sheḥakim, zevul, maon, and aravot,19These are the seven levels of heaven. and it is written: Praise Him Who rides in the aravot, with His name, the Lord” (Psalms 68:5). Regarding lands, the seventh is beloved: Eretz, adama, arka, gai, tziya, neshiya, tevel,20These are seven types of land. and it is written: “He will judge the universe [tevel] in righteousness, the nations with uprightness” (Psalms 9:9). Regarding generations, the seventh is beloved: Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Yered, Ḥanokh, and it is written: “Hanokh walked with God” (Genesis 5:24). Regarding our ancestors, the seventh is beloved: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Levi, Kehat, Amram, Moses, and it is written: “Moses ascended to God” (Exodus 19:3). Regarding sons, the seventh is beloved, as it is stated: “David was the seventh” (I Chronicles 2:15). Regarding kings, the seventh is beloved: Saul, Ish Boshet, David, Solomon, Reḥavam, Aviya, Asa, and it is written: “Asa cried out to the Lord” (II Chronicles 14:10).21In response, God provided him with a miraculous military victory and tremendous wealth in spoils of war. Regarding years, the seventh is beloved, as it is stated: “But in the seventh, you shall let it rest and leave it fallow” (Exodus 23:11). Regarding Sabbatical years, the seventh is beloved, as it is stated: “You shall sanctify the fiftieth year” (Leviticus 25:10). Regarding days, the seventh is beloved, as it is stated: “God blessed the seventh day” (Genesis 2:3). Regarding months, the seventh is beloved, as it is stated: “In the seventh month, on the first of the month.”
רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן וְרֵישׁ לָקִישׁ הֲווֹן יָתְבִין מִתְקַשְּׁיָן וְאָמְרִין תְּנִינַן יוֹם טוֹב שֶׁל רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת בְּשַׁבָּת בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ הָיוּ תּוֹקְעִין אֲבָל לֹא בַּמְּדִינָה, אִם דְּבַר תּוֹרָה הוּא יִדְּחֶה בַּגְּבוּלִים אִם אֵינוֹ דְּבַר תּוֹרָה אֲפִלּוּ בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ לֹא יִדְּחֶה, עַד דְּאִינוּן יָתְבִין מִתְקַשְּׁיָן, עָבַר כַּהֲנָא אָמְרִין אֲתָא מָרָא דִשְׁמַעְתָּא נֵיזֵיל וְנִשְׁאַל לֵיהּ, אָזְלִין וּשְׁאֵילוּן לֵיהּ, אֲמַר לוֹן כָּתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר (ויקרא כג, כד): זִכְרוֹן תְּרוּעָה, וְכָתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר (במדבר כט, א): יוֹם תְּרוּעָה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם, הָא כֵיצַד, בִּזְמַן שֶׁבָּא בְּשַׁבָּת זִכְרוֹן תְּרוּעָה, מַזְכִּירִין אֲבָל לֹא תּוֹקְעִין. אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחָאי יִדְּחֶה בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ שֶׁהֵן יוֹדְעִין זְמַנּוֹ שֶׁל חֹדֶשׁ וְאַל יִדְּחֶה בַּגְּבוּלִין שֶׁאֵין יוֹדְעִין בִּזְמַנּוֹ שֶׁל חֹדֶשׁ, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחָאי (במדבר כט, א ב): יוֹם תְּרוּעָה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אִשֶּׁה, מָקוֹם שֶׁהַקָּרְבָּנוֹת קְרֵיבִין. אָמַר רַבִּי תַּחְלִיפָא קֵיסָרָא, בְּכָל מוּסָפִין כְּתִיב: וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם וְכָאן כְּתִיב: וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אִשֶּׁה, הָא כֵיצַד, אָמַר לָהֶן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, בָּנַי מַעֲלֶה אֲנִי עֲלֵיכֶם כְּאִלּוּ הַיּוֹם נַעֲשֵׂיתֶם לְפָנַי, כְּאִלּוּ הַיּוֹם בָּרָאתִי אֶתְכֶם בְּרִיָּה חֲדָשָׁה, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (ישעיה סו, כב): כִּי כַאֲשֶׁר הַשָּׁמַיִם הַחֲדָשִׁים וְהָאָרֶץ הַחֲדָשָׁה. Rabbi Yoḥanan and Reish Lakish were sitting, deliberating, and saying: ‘We learned: On the festival day of Rosh HaShana that coincides with Shabbat, they would sound the shofar in the Temple but not in the outlying areas.22Mishna Rosh HaShana 4:1. If it is a matter of Torah law, it should override even in the outlying areas.23It is generally rabbinically prohibited to sound a horn on Shabbat, but if blowing the shofar is required by Torah law when Rosh HaShana coincides with Shabbat, it should be blown everywhere and not just in the Temple. If it is not a matter of Torah law, it should not override even in the Temple.’ While they were sitting and deliberating, Kahana passed. They said: ‘The master of the halakha has come, let us go and ask him.’ They went and asked him. He said to them: ‘One verse says: “A remembrance by means of a blast” (Leviticus 23:24), and one verse says: “A day of a blast” (Numbers 29:1). How so? When it coincides with Shabbat, “a remembrance by means of a blast,” – one mentions it but does not sound the shofar.’24The Jerusalem Talmud (Rosh HaShana 4:1) expands on this derivation and explains that the balance between these two verses applies specifically outside the Temple. Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai said: Let it override in the Temple, where they know the time of the New Moon, but let it not override in the outlying areas, where they do not know the time of the New Moon, as Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai said: It shall be a day of the blast, you shall perform a fire offering;25This is a citation from Numbers 29:1–2, but the verse actually states “burnt offering” rather than “fire offering. in the place where the offerings are sacrificed. Rabbi Taḥlifa of Caesarea said: Regarding all the additional offerings it is written: “You shall sacrifice,” but here it is written: “You shall perform a fire offering,” how so? The Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘My children, today I ascribe to you as though today you were formed before Me, as though today I created you as a new creation. That is what is written: “For just as the new heavens and the new earth [that I will make will remain before Me…so your descendants and your name will remain]”’ (Isaiah 66:22).