Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the verse 'And then the voice of the shofar sounded louder and louder; Moshe speaks, and God answers him by a voice' mean?
A: This verse describes the powerful revelation at Mount Sinai when the Jewish people received the Torah. The shofar's sound grew increasingly intense to signify the awe and grandeur of the moment. Moshe (Moses) spoke to God, and God responded with a divine voice, showing the direct communication between God and Moshe during this sacred event (Rashi on Exodus 19:19).
Q: Why is the sound of the shofar mentioned in this verse important?
A: The shofar's sound symbolizes divine revelation and the unique moment when God gave the Torah to the Jewish people. Its increasing volume represents the overwhelming spiritual intensity of the event, emphasizing that this was not an ordinary occurrence but a direct encounter with the Divine (Midrash Tanchuma, Yitro 13).
Q: What can we learn from the interaction between Moshe and God in this verse?
A: We learn that Moshe had a unique level of prophecy, as God answered him directly 'by a voice.' This highlights Moshe's role as the greatest prophet, who communicated with God more clearly than any other human being (Rambam, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 7:6). It also teaches the importance of humility and readiness to receive divine wisdom.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: This verse reminds us of the foundational event of Matan Torah (the Giving of the Torah) and our eternal covenant with God. Just as the shofar called the Jewish people to attention at Sinai, we are reminded to listen to Torah teachings with reverence and commitment, especially during times of spiritual reflection like Rosh Hashanah, when the shofar is sounded (Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 16a).
Q: Why did God answer Moshe 'by a voice' and not in another way?
A: God answered Moshe with an audible voice to demonstrate the clarity and certainty of divine communication at Sinai. Unlike dreams or visions, a direct voice leaves no room for doubt, reinforcing that the Torah's transmission was a real and historical event witnessed by the entire nation (Mechilta on Exodus 19:19).
The Voice of the Shofar at Har Sinai
The verse describes the intensifying sound of the shofar during Matan Torah (the Giving of the Torah) at Har Sinai. Rashi (Shemot 19:19) explains that the shofar's sound grew progressively louder to symbolize the increasing awe and majesty of the Divine revelation. This escalation prepared Bnei Yisrael for the profound spiritual encounter.
Moshe Speaks and Hashem Answers
The second part of the verse states, "Moshe speaks, and God answers him by a voice." The Mechilta (Yitro, Massekhta DeBahodesh 9) interprets this as a dialogue where Moshe served as the intermediary between Hashem and the people. Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 1:65) elaborates that this "voice" refers to the Divine communication that Moshe uniquely could receive and transmit to the nation.
Layers of Interpretation from Chazal
Theological Significance
The Sforno notes that this verse demonstrates the principle of "Dibra Torah ki'leshon bnei adam" - the Torah speaks in human terms to describe an essentially indescribable Divine encounter. The shofar's sound and the Divine voice represent the bridge between human perception and transcendent reality during Matan Torah.