Other Vessels Used in the Service of the Tabernacle

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The Silver Trumpets | The Silver Decanter | The Lyre | Stone Vessels | Stone Cup | The Kelal | Stone Vessel for Carrying Water | Mortar and Pestle | Water from the Springs of Gihon | The Shofar

The two silver trumpets were used to announce removal of the camp, special festivals, the Year of Jubilee, war, or any other notable event (Numbers 10:2-10), which were to be a single piece (probably manufactured like the pipes of the candelabrum). They were straight as represented on the Arch of Titus where they are exhibited as about equal to each other in average diameter.

This silver decanter was designed for the Wine Libation. Wine is poured on the outer altar twice daily -- in the morning and evening, to accompany the daily ("tamid") sacrifices.

The lyre played in the Temple had seven strings. According to tradition, the lyre that will be played in the future will feature ten strings, and this is how the instrument has been reproduced by the Temple Institute and by the artist of this exhibit David Hamilton. The design of the lyre is based on an ancient Temple coin of the Second Temple era. (See exhibit on Coins "Denarius")

These vessels are to be used for preparing the ashes of the red heifer, as prescribed in Jewish law.

Stone vessels such as this, was used by the priestly families in order to prevent them from becoming exposed to ritual impurity.

A vessel of this sort was kept in the entrance to the Temple, with duplicates in numerous other locations. It contained a mixture of red heifer ashes from previous generations.

The Mishna describes that the vessel was taken to the spring of Shiloach to gather water for mixing with the red heifers' ashes had a narrow neck and opening.

A mortar and pestle of this variety was used in the preparation of the ashes of the red heifer.

Rabbi Rrichman and Clyde Lott present the first Red Heifer in 2000 years to have been verified by a rabbi as meeting all the biblical requirements of Numbers 19.

The shofar was sounded: As an instrument of proclamation, announcing the presence or coming of the Lord. "And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice." (Exodus 19:19). To praise God. "With trumpets and the sound of a horn; shout joyfully before the Lord, the King." (Psalm 98:6) As an early warning siren. "When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies." (Numbers 10:9) To assemble the people and to call God's people to worship Him.

Listen To The Shofar