Numbers 28:11 - New moon's sacrificial renewal offering?

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Hebrew Text

וּבְרָאשֵׁי חָדְשֵׁיכֶם תַּקְרִיבוּ עֹלָה לַיהוָה פָּרִים בְּנֵי־בָקָר שְׁנַיִם וְאַיִל אֶחָד כְּבָשִׂים בְּנֵי־שָׁנָה שִׁבְעָה תְּמִימִם׃

English Translation

And in the beginnings of your months you shall offer a burnt offering to the Lord; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish;

Transliteration

Uv'rashei chodsheichem takrivu olah la'Adonai parim b'nei-vakar shnayim v'ayil echad kvasim b'nei-shana shiv'a t'mimim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וּבְרָאשֵׁי֙ חׇדְשֵׁיכֶ֔ם תַּקְרִ֥יבוּ עֹלָ֖ה לַיהֹוָ֑ה פָּרִ֨ים בְּנֵֽי־בָקָ֤ר שְׁנַ֙יִם֙ וְאַ֣יִל אֶחָ֔ד כְּבָשִׂ֧ים בְּנֵי־שָׁנָ֛ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה תְּמִימִֽם׃

Parasha Commentary

The Significance of the Rosh Chodesh Offering

The verse (Bamidbar 28:11) commands the bringing of special korbanot (offerings) at the beginning of each month (Rosh Chodesh). Rashi explains that these offerings are in addition to the daily Tamid offerings, emphasizing the unique sanctity of Rosh Chodesh as a time of renewal. The Rambam (Hilchot Temidin u'Musafin 1:1) notes that these offerings are called "Musaf" (additional), highlighting their supplementary nature to the regular service.

Symbolism of the Animals

Two Young Bullocks: The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 21:12) teaches that the two bulls correspond to the two tablets of the covenant, reminding us of our ongoing commitment to Torah at each new month.
One Ram: The single ram represents Avraham Avinu's binding of Yitzchak (Akeidah), where a ram was sacrificed instead of Yitzchak (Bereishit 22:13). This connects Rosh Chodesh to themes of dedication and sacrifice.
Seven Lambs: The seven unblemished lambs symbolize completeness (as seven represents wholeness in Jewish thought) and the seven days of creation, reminding us that each month renews our partnership with Hashem in sustaining the world.

The Spiritual Message of Rosh Chodesh Offerings

The Kli Yakar explains that these offerings serve as atonement for the sin of the Golden Calf, which occurred when the people miscalculated Moshe's return at the beginning of a month. Thus, each Rosh Chodesh becomes an opportunity for spiritual renewal and correction of past errors. The Chatam Sofer adds that the variety of animals teaches that all aspects of our being - from the mighty bull (representing strength) to the gentle lamb (representing humility) - must be dedicated to divine service.

Practical Halachic Considerations

The Mishnah (Megillah 22b) discusses how the Rosh Chodesh offerings were brought even when the Temple stood, and their description here forms the basis for the Musaf prayer recited on Rosh Chodesh today. The Rambam (Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh 5:1) emphasizes that the sanctification of the new month - which determines when these offerings are brought - is fundamentally tied to the human observation and court declaration of the new moon, showing the partnership between divine command and human action in Jewish practice.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 22b

The verse is referenced in a discussion about the sanctity of the New Moon and the offerings brought during this time.

📖 Rosh Hashanah 8a

The verse is cited in the context of discussing the significance of the New Moon and the specific sacrifices prescribed for it.

📖 Menachot 45a

The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the details of the offerings and their requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 28:11 mean?
A: Numbers 28:11 instructs the Jewish people to bring special burnt offerings (korban olah) to Hashem at the beginning of each new month (Rosh Chodesh). The offerings include two young bulls, one ram, and seven unblemished lambs in their first year. This mitzvah emphasizes the sanctity of Rosh Chodesh and our connection to Hashem through the Temple service.

Q: Why is Rosh Chodesh important in Judaism?
A: Rosh Chodesh (the new month) is important because it marks the beginning of the Jewish lunar month and sets the dates for all Jewish holidays. The Torah commands special sacrifices for Rosh Chodesh (as seen in Numbers 28:11) to highlight its sanctity. The Talmud (Chullin 60b) also teaches that the moon's monthly renewal symbolizes the Jewish people's ability to renew ourselves spiritually.

Q: What can we learn from the Rosh Chodesh sacrifices today?
A: Although we cannot bring sacrifices without the Temple, we learn from Numbers 28:11 that time itself can be sanctified. Today, we mark Rosh Chodesh with special prayers (like Hallel and Musaf), festive meals, and women often have customs to refrain from work (based on Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer 45). The sacrifices teach us to dedicate new beginnings to spiritual growth.

Q: Why were specific animals chosen for the Rosh Chodesh offering?
A: Rashi explains that the two bulls represent the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, the ram recalls the binding of Yitzchak (where Avraham offered a ram instead of Yitzchak), and the seven lambs correspond to the seven days of creation (Shemos Rabbah 15:22). Each animal teaches us about different aspects of our relationship with Hashem.

Q: How do we observe Rosh Chodesh differently since we have no Temple?
A: Without the Temple, we replace sacrifices with prayer (Hoshea 14:3). On Rosh Chodesh, we add Ya'aleh V'Yavo in Shemoneh Esrei, recite Hallel (partial), and a special Musaf prayer describing the ancient sacrifices (based on Rambam's Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Tefillah 1:4-5). Many also have festive meals to maintain the day's joy (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 419:1).