The Hidden Meaning in the Menorah
While on Mount Sinai, Moses received the instructions concerning the building of the menorah, the seven-branch lampstand, according to the pattern which YHVH had shown him in Exo 25:31-40, in Num 8:2-4 its design was brought to realization: beaten work of pure gold, from its base to its blossoms.
And you shall make a lampstand of clean gold – the lampstand is made of beaten work. Its base and its shaft, its cups, its ornamental knobs and blossoms are from it, … (Exo 25:31-40)
A reconstruction of the Menorah of the Temple created by the Temple Institute, Israel
The meaning of verse 31 and the consequences verses is that the seven-branch menorah must not be made in separate sections, which will be made individually and then attached by soldering. But the menorah must be made entirely from one piece of beaten gold, beaten with a hammer and then cut with a chisel, and the branches separated on both sides. With that clarified, the base of the menorah was made like a box with three legs protruding downwards. And the goblets were made like cups protruded from every branch, seven goblets. The lamps were in the shape of cups into which the oil and the wicks were put, so that they shed light toward its face: the six lamps turned toward the middle one, so that when the lamps were lit, they would shed light in the direction of its face, the middle branch, which is the body of the menorah.
We may think that while there were no windows inside the Tabernacle there was a need for the lights of the menorah. But we will suggest that the menorah might have had other purpose alluded to in its design in Exo 25:31-37, namely, to represent the Torah, as the source of heavenly light in the world.
The menorah has 7 branches, 11 knobs, 9 flowers, 22 goblets, and was 18 handbreadths in height.
The pattern of the menorah, according to Maimonides’ view in Mishneh Torah. The seven branches are in each direction diagonally.
Rambam’s view of the menorah above differs from the widely accepted design, namely, the branches of the menorah were not curved, as seen in the gold replica by the Temple Institute, Israel, but instead were straight and extended diagonally upwards. Rashi too is of this opinion.
Nevertheless, these otherwise plain numbers represent the five books of the Torah after the manner of their first verses:
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- Genesis: the first verse in Gen 1:1 (in Hebrew) has: 7 words,
- Exodus: the first verse of Exo 1:1 has 11 words,
- Leviticus: the first verse of Lev 1:1 has 9 words,
- Numbers: the first verse of Num 1:1 has 17 words, and
- Deuteronomy: the first verse of Deu 1:1 has 22 words.
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And the Eternal spoke to Mosheh, saying,
Speak to Aharon, and say to him, “When you ascend to trim the lamps, let the seven lamps give light in front of the lampstand”. (Num 8:1-2)
When entering the Tabernacle from the east facing west, the Altar of Incense is directly in front of the entrance, the menorah is to the left (south), and on the right (north), directly across from the face of the menorah, is the Table of the Bread of Presence. Hence, the purpose of the menorah is to illuminate the Bread of Presence. The connection between the Menorah and the Bread of Presence appears specifically in Lev 24:2-5. The Bread of Presence on the Table of Showbread is described not simply as being lechem (leavened bread) but as חַלָּה challah, which can mean “afflicted” (from the verb חָלַל chalal, to wound fatally, bore through, pierce, as found in Psa 109:22, Isa 51:9, Isa 53:5).
We should also notice that the menorah has seven branches, just as King Messiah has the seven Ruchot (Spirits) of YHVH Elohim that rested upon him,
And a rod shall come forth from the stump of Yishai, and a sprout from his roots shall be fruitful. The Breath of Yehovah shall rest upon him – the Breath of wisdom and understanding, the Breath of counsel and might, the Breath of knowledge and of the awe of Yehovah, (Isa 11:1-2)
And when the Word of YHVH became flesh, he spoke to his disciples, saying,
I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall by no means walk in darkness but possess the light of life. (Joh 8:12)
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May we merit seeing the coming of our Mashiach speedily in our days!
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