Our story begins with the instruction to Moses to craft two silver trumpets, kliyot keseph, hammered meticulously. "Craft for you two silver trumpets; hammered, you shall craft them; they shall be for you for summoning the congregation, and for causing the camps to travel" (Numbers 10:2). But how does this relate to feeling unappreciated? To understand, we need to detour into a tale of King Solomon and the Ark of the Covenant.
Imagine Solomon, majestic and powerful, attempting to bring the Ark into the newly built Temple. As he approaches the gates, he proclaims, “Lift your heads, gates; raise yourselves, infinite portals” (Psalms 24:7). But these weren’t just any gates; according to the Midrash, they were feeling a little low, a little… depressed.
Solomon urges them again, “Raise yourselves, infinite portals, so the King of glory may enter” (Psalms 24:7). And the gates, in a moment of sheer chutzpah, respond, “Who is this, the King of glory?” (Psalms 24:10). Can you believe it? The gates challenge the King of Glory!
Immediately, the gates threatened to crush Solomon, almost like they were about to defend their honor! Only Solomon's quick thinking saved him. He declared, “The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory, Selah” (Psalms 24:10), and affirmed, “The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle” (Psalms 24:8). It was only then that the gates relented, recognizing the true glory before them.
Bamidbar Rabbah then reveals a powerful consequence. Because the gates ultimately accorded God honor, He promised them that even when the Temple was destroyed, they would remain. “You accorded Me honor; as you exist, when I destroy My Temple, no person will dominate you.”
Think about that for a moment. While other sacred objects were exiled, as we see in Daniel 1:2 ("The Lord delivered Yehoyakim king of Judah into his hand with some of the vessels of the House of God"), the gates remained, "Its gates sank into the ground” (Lamentations 2:9). A testament to their eventual recognition of God's glory.
But what does this have to do with those silver trumpets? Well, the text goes on to explain that God shares His glory with those who fear Him. He is called Elohim, God, and He even called Moses elohim, saying "I have made you elohim to Pharaoh” (Exodus 7:1). He grants power and authority to those who are worthy. Elijah revived the dead (I Kings 17:23), and the messianic king will be clothed in splendor (Psalms 21:6).
And here’s where those trumpets come back in. God tells Moses, "I have made you a king, as it is stated: 'He became king in Yeshurun' (Deuteronomy 33:5). Just as a king is heralded with the sound of the shofar, you too, 'craft for you two silver trumpets.'" (Numbers 10:2). The trumpets are a symbol of Moses's divinely granted authority, a way to assemble the people and lead them forward. “They shall sound them, and the entire congregation will assemble to you” (Numbers 10:3).
So, what’s the takeaway? This passage from Bamidbar Rabbah isn't just about trumpets or gates. It's about recognizing true glory, honoring what is sacred, and understanding that even seemingly ordinary things – like gates, or even ourselves – can play a vital role in the divine plan. It's a reminder that sometimes, a little humility and recognition of something greater can lead to unexpected and lasting honor.