Trumpets

Many are not aware how often the חצוצרות, trumpets, were used from the period of the desert until the end of the Temple period.

The Torah tells us וביום שמחתכם ובמועדיכם, on your days of joy, and festivals. Rashi tells us that this included Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and all holidays. This means that these trumpets were blown, to enhance and beautify Temple service.

The חצוצרות were also used in the desert to call the people to unite or prepare for travel. On a non-holy day, people were trained to listen for the trumpets and the instructions that came with them.

We also learn that the חצוצרות will be blown in the final war of גוג ומגוג and the coming of Mashiach. The Malbim wrote that the חצוצרות will be blown and the people will watch as Hashem will fight this people as they marvel at the salvation they will witness.

In recent years, the Temple Institute has reconstructed the חצוצרות, and they are often seen and heard at the Kotel, during mass prayers.

We are living in a time when we see a revival of the חצוצרות as another proof that we are living in Messianic times.