Unit 1(H): The Meanings of Shofar Defining the Mitzvah, Part 2 "A Horn by Any Other Name"

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT Below is a passage from the Talmud/Gemara which discusses the mishnah we covered in the previous source sheet. The passage sets up a theoretical conversation between Rabbi Yosi and the other Rabbis, going back and forth between the two opinions. Then a later teacher named Ulla enters the discussion and his point of view is analyzed extensively by raising and resolving many objections (e.g., "But what about...?!"). Below this text are four comments by Rashi. Refer to those Rashis where indicated to help you understand the Talmud.

ראש השנה כ״ו א

גְּמָ׳ שַׁפִּיר קָאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי. וְרַבָּנַן? כׇּל הַשּׁוֹפָרוֹת אִקְּרוֹ שׁוֹפָר וְאִקְּרוֹ קֶרֶן. דְּפָרָה — קֶרֶן אִקְּרִי, שׁוֹפָר לָא אִקְּרִי, דִּכְתִיב: ״בְּכוֹר שׁוֹרוֹ הָדָר לוֹ וְקַרְנֵי רְאֵם קַרְנָיו״.

וְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי אָמַר לָךְ: דְּפָרָה נָמֵי אִקְּרִי שׁוֹפָר, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְתִיטַב לַיהוה מִשּׁוֹר פָּר״, אִם שׁוֹר — לָמָּה פָּר, וְאִם פָּר — לָמָּה שׁוֹר? אֶלָּא: מַאי ״שׁוֹר פָּר״ — מִשּׁוֹפָר.

וְרַבָּנַן? כִּדְרַב מַתְנָה. דְּאָמַר רַב מַתְנָה: מַאי ״שׁוֹר פָּר״ — שֶׁהוּא גָּדוֹל כְּפַר.

עוּלָּא אָמַר: הַיְינוּ טַעְמָא דְּרַבָּנַן, כִּדְרַב חִסְדָּא. דְּאָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: מִפְּנֵי מָה אֵין כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל נִכְנָס בְּבִגְדֵי זָהָב לִפְנַי וְלִפְנִים לַעֲבוֹד עֲבוֹדָה — לְפִי שֶׁאֵין קָטֵיגוֹר נַעֲשָׂה סָנֵיגוֹר.

וְלָא? וְהָא אִיכָּא דָּם פַּר! הוֹאִיל וְאִשְׁתַּנִּי — אִשְׁתַּנִּי.

וְהָא אִיכָּא אָרוֹן וְכַפּוֹרֶת וּכְרוּב! חוֹטֵא בַּל יַקְרִיב קָאָמְרִינַן.

וְהָא אִיכָּא כַּף וּמַחְתָּה! חוֹטֵא בַּל יִתְנָאֶה קָא אָמְרִינַן.

וְהָא אִיכָּא בִּגְדֵי זָהָב מִבַּחוּץ! מִבִּפְנִים קָא אָמְרִינַן.

שׁוֹפָר נָמֵי מִבַּחוּץ הוּא! כֵּיוָן דִּלְזִכָּרוֹן הוּא — כְּבִפְנִים דָּמֵי.

וְהָא תַּנָּא ״מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא קֶרֶן״ קָאָמַר! חֲדָא וְעוֹד קָאָמַר: חֲדָא — דְּאֵין קָטֵיגוֹר נַעֲשָׂה סָנֵיגוֹר, וְעוֹד — מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא קֶרֶן.

Rosh Hashanah 26a

GEMARA:
Rabbi Yosi's reasoning is strong. And how would our [other] Rabbis respond? All [other] shofarot are called shofarand they are called keren **See Rashi (1) below**; one made from a cow is called keren, but it is not called shofar, as it is written: “[The tribe of Joseph is like] a firstborn bull in its majesty, and his horns [karnav] are like the horns of a wild ox [re'em]” (Deut 33:17) **See Rashi (2) below**.

And how would Rabbi Yosi respond [to that point]? He would say to you: One made from a cow is also called shofar, as it is written, “And it [my words of praise to God] will please Adonai more than an ox bull ["shor par"] with horns and hoofs” (Psalms 69:32). If it means ox [shor], why does it [also] say bull [par]? And if it means bull, why does it say ox? Rather, what is the meaning of [the phrase] "shor par"? [The verse means] "more than a shofar."

And how would our Rabbis respond [to that point]? Following [the teaching of] Rav Matna, for Rav Matna said: What is the meaning of shor par?[An ox, shor] that is as large as a bull [par].

Ulla said: This is our Rabbis' reason-- following [the teaching of] Rav Ḥisda, for Rav Ḥisda said: Why can't the High Priest enter the innermost chamber [the Holy of Holies] to perform the Temple service [on Yom Kippur] while wearing his golden garments [that he does wear at other times]? Because a prosecuting attorney [Hebrew: kateigor;Greek: κατήγορος] cannot become a defense attorney [Hebrew: saneigor; Greek: συνήγορος]. **See Rashi (3) below**

Oh really? But what about the bull's blood [that is sacrificed and sprinkled on Yom Kippur]?! Since [now] it [the bull] has a different form, it is different. **See Rashi (4) below**

But what about the Ark, the Ark cover, and the cherubim [which are all covered with gold]?!We are talking about what sinners [seeking atonement] may not offer during the Temple service [and those things are parts of the Temple's furnishings].

But what about the spoon and fire pan [that are made of gold and are used to produce an incense that is brought into the Holy of Holies]?! We are talking about how sinners may not beautify themselves [during the Temple service].

But what about the golden garments [which he does in fact wear] outside the Holy of Holies?! We are talking about inside the Holy of Holies.

The shofar is also blown outside the Holy of Holies! Since it is blown for [the purpose of] remembering, it is just like being inside the Holy of Holies.

But the Tanna [in our Mishnah] said, "since it is [called] a horn" [was the reason it can't be used]! He taught [explicitly] one reason even though there was another reason as well. One reason is: Because a prosecuting attorney cannot become a defense attorney. Another reason is: "Since it is [called] a horn" [and not a shofar].

רש"י על ראש השנה כ״ו א:ד׳:א׳

גמ' אקרו קרן ואקרו שופר - אקרו קרן כדאמרן ואקרו שופר דכתיב במתן תורה (שמות י״ט:י״ט) במשוך היובל וגו' וכתיב ויהי קול השופר:

Rashi on Rosh Hashanah 26a:4:1

(1) "All [other] shofarot are called kerenand they are called shofar":
They are called keren, as we stated [in the Mishnah]. And they are called shofar, as it is written at the Giving of the Torah, "As the ram's horn blasts, etc." and it is written, "The sound of the shofar was..." (see Exod 19:13, 19; 20:15).

רש"י על ראש השנה כ״ו א:ד׳:ב׳

וקרני ראם קרניו - של בכור שורו קרן אשכחן דאקרי:

Rashi on Rosh Hashanah 26a:4:2

(2) "And his horns are like the horns of a wild ox [re'em]" (Deut 33:17).
We find that in a firstborn bull they [i.e., the horns] are called keren.

רש"י על ראש השנה כ״ו א:ז׳:א׳

אין קטיגור - זהב העגל ושופר של פרה נמי קטיגור דעגל הוא:

Rashi on Rosh Hashanah 26a:7:1

(3) "A prosecuting attorney":
The gold of the Golden Calf [Egel HaZahav]. And a shofar made from a cow is also a prosecuting attorney since it is [the same species as] a calf [egel].

רש"י על ראש השנה כ״ו א:ח׳:א׳

הואיל ואישתני - להיות דם ואין מראית הפר ניכר:

Rashi on Rosh Hashanah 26a:8:1

(4) "Since it has a different form":
In being blood, and it lacks any appearance of a bull.

Study Questions on R. H. 26a

1. At the very beginning of the text, where and what is being referred to when it says that Rabbi Yosi's reasoning is strong? Please quote it.

2. Who thinks that a cow's horn is sometimes called a "shofar," Our Rabbis or Rabbi Yosi?

3. What proof is used to show that a cow's horn is sometimes called a "shofar"?

4. What is the main example of a "prosecuting attorney" used in this passage?

5. Explain the concept of a "prosecuting attorney" that is being used here. Who is it prosecuting and how is it prosecuting?

6. Why is it ok that some sacred items in the Temple are made out of gold? If possible, give three different reasons according to the text.

7. What part of the text (what opinion) is Ulla disagreeing with?

8. We are told that since a shofaris blown for the purpose of remembering, it can be compared to what other religious activity?

9. What kind of remembering do you believe the text is talking about? In your opinion, who is/are the one(s) remembering, and what are they remembering?

10. In your own words, explain the kushiya being asked in the last paragraph of this passage and how it is answered.