Shofar reveals Yosef's holy point

איתא בר"ה יצא יוסף מבית אסורים.

It is taught regarding Rosh Hashanah: "Yosef went out from the prison house."

Chazal teach that Yosef was released from prison on Rosh Hashanah, and the Sefas Emes takes this as a key to the day's inner meaning.

עדות ביהוסף שמו.

"He appointed it as a testimony in Yehosef" — by his name.

The pasuk in Tehillim links Yosef's name (here spelled "Yehosef," with an added letter heh from Hashem's name) to a "testimony" tied to this season.

ואמו"ז ז"ל אמר כי נקודת יוסף מתגלה בר"ה.

And my grandfather, of blessed memory, said that the inner point of Yosef is revealed on Rosh Hashanah.

The Chiddushei HaRim taught that the "nekudah of Yosef" — the inner holy point that Yosef embodies — comes to light specifically on Rosh Hashanah.

דיש לבחי' יוסף ג' מחיצות מפסיקות.

For the aspect of Yosef has three partitions that interpose.

There are three "barriers" that conceal and block the holy point of Yosef from being revealed.

ערלה פריעה אטופי דדמא.

Orlah, pri'ah, and the "sealing of blood."

These three correspond to the stages of milah — the foreskin (orlah), the uncovering (pri'ah), and the drawing of the covenantal blood — symbolizing three layers of concealment over the bris kodesh that Yosef guards.

מול זה מלכיות זכרונות שופרות.

Corresponding to these are Malchuyos, Zichronos, and Shofros.

The three central berachos of Mussaf on Rosh Hashanah — Kingship, Remembrances, and Shofar-blasts — stand opposite the three partitions, each one positioned to break through a layer of concealment.

ובתקיעות אלו שוברין הג' מחיצות ונתגלה אור ברית קודש:

And through these shofar-blasts the three partitions are shattered, and the light of the holy covenant is revealed.

The tekios of Rosh Hashanah pierce the three barriers, releasing Yosef's inner point — like Yosef freed from prison — so that the ohr of the bris kodesh, the guarded covenant of purity, shines forth.

Summary: Yosef's release from prison on Rosh Hashanah signals that his inner holy point — the guarded bris kodesh — is revealed on this day. Three partitions (corresponding to the stages of milah) conceal it, and opposite them stand the three Mussaf berachos of Malchuyos, Zichronos, and Shofros. The shofar-blasts shatter these barriers and reveal the light of the holy covenant.