Rosh HaShanah 5783: ”Malkhiyot, Zikhronot, and Shoferot: Structure and Meaning” with Dr. Chanan Gafni

Around the Calendar with Drisha

Dec 15 2023 • 1 hr 1 min

The Mishnah in Tractate Rosh Hashanah tells of three blessings unique to the Rosh Hashanah service: מלכויות (malkhiyot, or “kingship”), זיכרונות (zikhronot, or “remembrances”), שופרות (shoferot, the shofar and its sounding). But the order of those blessings is the subject of much debate among the Tannaim and Amoraim. How does the text that we find in our siddur/makhzor reflect those various Rabbinic positions? Why are their biblical verses out of order (Writings before Prophets)? And finally, what can we derive from these blessings about Rosh Hashanah?