Menorah (Temple)

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This article is about the seven branched candelabrum used in the Temple in Jerusalem. For the nine branched candelabrum used on Hanukkah, see Menorah (Hanukkah).
Kippa and Menorah from the Harry S Truman collection
Kippa and Menorah from the Harry S Truman collection
Second Temple period stone tablet from a synagogue in Peki'in, Israel.
Second Temple period stone tablet from a synagogue in Peki'in, Israel.
Coin issued by Mattathias Antigonus c. 40 BCE.
Coin issued by Mattathias Antigonus c. 40 BCE.

The menorah (Hebrew: מנורה), is a seven branched candelabrum and has been a symbol of Judaism for almost 3000 years. It was used in the ancient Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Lit by olive oil in the Tabernacle and the Temple, the menorah is one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish people. It is said to symbolize the burning bush as seen by Moses on Mount Horeb (Exodus 3).

Exodus 25:31-40 lists the instructions for the construction of the menorah used in the temple:

31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made, even its base, and its shaft; its cups, its knops, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it. 32 And there shall be six branches going out of the sides thereof: three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candle-stick out of the other side thereof; 33 three cups made like almond-blossoms in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three cups made like almond-blossoms in the other branch, a knop and a flower; so for the six branches going out of the candlestick. 34 And in the candlestick four cups made like almond-blossoms, the knops thereof, and the flowers thereof. 35 And a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, and a knop under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of the candlestick. 36 Their knops and their branches shall be of one piece with it; the whole of it one beaten work of pure gold. 37 And thou shalt make the lamps thereof, seven; and they shall light the lamps thereof, to give light over against it. 38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. 39 Of a talent of pure gold shall it be made, with all these vessels. 40 And see that thou make them after their pattern, which is being shown thee in the mount.

The construction of the temple menorah was considered a religious order in Judaism.

Contents

[edit] Hanukkah

Main articles: Hanukkah and Menorah (Hanukkah)

The Menorah is also a symbol closely associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. According to the Talmud, after the desecration of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, there was only enough sealed (and therefore not desecrated by idolatry) consecrated olive oil left to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days which was enough time to make new pure oil. The Hanukkah menorah therefore has eight main branches, plus a ninth branch set apart for the Shamash (servant) light which is used to start the other lights. This type of menorah is called a hanukiah in Modern Hebrew.

[edit] Origin

The Torah states that God revealed the design for the menorah to Moses. According to some readings, Maimonides stated that the menorah in the Temple had straight branches, not rounded as is often depicted.[1] Jewish depictions of the menorah dating back to Temple times, along with the depiction on the Arch of Titus showing the Romans taking the looted Menorah to Rome after the Temple's destruction, contradict this claim.

[edit] Fate

The fate of the menorah used in the Second Temple is recorded by the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who states that it was brought to Rome and carried along during the triumph of Vespasian and Titus. A depiction of this event is preserved on the Arch of Titus that still stands today in Rome. This bust represents the best known image of what the menorah in the Temple may have actually looked like. As such it is this depiction of the Menorah which appears on Israel's Coat of Arms.

Depiction of the Menorah on the Arch of Titus

The menorah probably remained in the Temple of Peace in Rome until the city was sacked. The first sacking was by the Visigoths under Alaric I in 410 CE.

Alternatively, the menorah may have been looted by the Vandals in 455 CE, and taken to their capital, Carthage.[2] The Byzantine army under General Belisarius may have taken it back in 533 and brought it to Constantinople. According to Procopius, it was carried through the streets of Constantinople during Belisarius' triumphal procession. Procopius adds that the object was later sent back to Jerusalem. This may be a pious legend.

[edit] Modern use

Many synagogues display either a menorah or an artistic representation of a menorah. In addition, synagogues feature a continually-lit lamp in front of the Ark, where the Torah scroll is kept. Called the ner tamid, this lamp represents the continually-lit menorah used in Temple times. A menorah appears in the coat of arms of the State of Israel based on the depiction of the Menorah on the Arch of Titus in Rome, Italy.

[edit] In other cultures

The kinara is a seven-branch candleholder associated with the African American festival of Kwanzaa. One candle is lit on each day of the week-long celebration, in a similar manner as the menorah during Hanukkah.

[edit] Gallery

The Jewish Legion cap badge: menorah and word קדימה Kadima (forward)

A drawing on the depiction of the Menorah seen on the Arch of Titus in Rome, Italy.

The Coat of Arms of Israel shows a menorah surrounded by an olive branch on each side and the writing "ישראל" (Israel) based on its depiction on the Arch of Titus.

The Menorah is seen being sacked as the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was being destroyed by the Roman army. (70 C.E.)

A contemporary wall-mounted decorative synagogue menorah by David Ascalon

The Betar movement symbol traditionally containing the Menorah.
(This is the current logo with the word "BETAR" "בית"ר" in Hebrew and English)

Betar Jerusalem Football Club's crest is one of the most popular usage of the Menroah. The Team has even gained the nickname "The Menorah".

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
  1. ^ The shape of the Menorah of the Temple (Avodah Mailing List. Volume 12: Number 065. Friday, December 26 2003)
  2. ^ Edward Gibbon: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Volume 7: Chapter XLI. From the Online Library of Liberty. The J. B. Bury edition, in 12 volumes.)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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