331. Liberty Bell: The obligation to blow shofar to free the slaves

The shofar is normally blown on Rosh Hashana. In the Jubilee year – the fiftieth year, following seven Sabbatical cycles – it was also blown on Yom Kippur. The purpose of this shofar blast was to “proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10 – this verse is inscribed on the Liberty Bell). At this time, every Hebrew bondservant went free without having to pay.

The reason for this mitzvah is that the shofar is an inspiring sound. It is blown to rouse troops in battle and it is blown on Rosh Hashana to make us remember the binding of our forefather Yitzchak (Isaac). Releasing a servant of many years, who has become a virtual family member, can be a difficult thing to do. The sound of the shofar therefore is meant to inspire the people and give them strength. The sound of the shofar nationwide reminds them that this is not a blow to their own household but a mitzvah of God in which the entire Jewish people is participating. It likewise rouses the servant. He may have become complacent and comfortable in his situation and be afraid to go out free; the shofar gives him strength and encourages him.

This mitzvah only applies at a time when the Jubilee year is observed, which as we said in the previous mitzvah is when all of the Tribes reside in Israel. It is discussed in the Talmud in tractate Rosh Hashana (8b, 26a-27a, 29a, 30a, etc.) and is codified in the Mishneh Torah in the tenth chapter of Hilchos Shemittah. This mitzvah is #137 of the 248 positive mitzvos in the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos.