Yerach ben yomo (Hebrew: יֶרַח בֶּן יוֹמוֹ, with variant English spellings, also known as Galgal), is a cantillation mark that appears only one time in the entire Torah (Numbers 35:5), and once in the Book of Esther. In these occurrences, it is followed immediately by a Karne parah, another mark that is found only once in the entire Torah.[1] The symbol for this trope is an upside-down Etnachta.[2]
The Hebrew words Hebrew: rtl=yes|יֵרֶח בֶּן יוֹמוֹ translate into English as day-old moon. Its alternate name Hebrew: rtl=yes|גלגל translates into English as wheel.
The rare trope sound in the Torah appears in Numbers 35:5 on the word alpayim (Hebrew: rtl=yes|אלפים, two-thousand), which is followed by an equally exclusive Karne Parah on the word b'amah (Hebrew: rtl=yes|באמה, cubit), in the first of four occurrences of this phrase in the verse. In each of the phrase's four appearances, a different set of trope. The Yerach ben yomo followed by the Karne Parah is found on the first of these four instances. On the other three, respectively, are a Kadma V'Azla, a Munach Rivi'i, and a Mercha Tipcha.[3]
This is representative of the way mitzvot are performed in real life. When one first performs a mitzvah, being a new experience, it is performed with great enthusiasm. The unusual trope signify the one-time occurrence of the mitzvah being a new experience. The second instance is on a Kadma-V'Azla, a note that is recited highly, showing that the high is still alive. The third is on a Munach-Rivi'i, a note that is going downward, showing that enthusiasm is going down. The fourth and final occurrence being on a Mercha-Tipcha, a common set that are recited in a lazy mode as if they are basically being recited without a melody, show the monotony of performing a mitzvah after performing it so many times.[3]
Altogether, this verse shows the importance of performing a mitzvah that must be performed regularly, despite its monotony. It is an encouragement to bring new light into each time one performs a mitzvah in order to renew the excitement, and even when one cannot do so, to perform the mitzvah regardless.[3]
There is a lesser-known occurrence of the Yerach ben yomo in the Book of Esther, at Esther 7:9. This is found on Haman. In Orthodox Jewish tradition, the Book of Esther is read twice on Purim, and parsha of Masei which includes verse 35:5 is read only once per year, so the recitation of the Yerach ben yomo in Esther therefore is read more often.
| Book | Number of appearances | |
|---|---|---|
| Torah | 1[4] | |
| Genesis | 0 | |
| Exodus | 0 | |
| Leviticus | 0 | |
| Numbers | 1 | |
| Deuteronomy | 0 | |
| Nevi'im | 6[5] | |
| Ketuvim | 9 |
The yerach ben yomo + karne para phrase occurs a total of 16 times according to the Leningrad Codex. They are:[6]