Temple menorah

Not to be confused withHanukkah menorah.

Themenorah(/məˈnɔːrə/;Hebrew:מְנוֹרָהmənōrā,pronounced[menoˈʁa]) is a seven-branchedcandelabrumthat is described in theHebrew Bibleand in later ancient sources as having been used in theTabernacleand in theTemple in Jerusalem.

Since ancient times, it has served as a symbol representing theJewish peopleandJudaismin both theLand of Israeland theDiaspora.It eventually became theState of Israel's official emblem after its founding in 1948.

According to the Hebrew Bible, the menorah was made out ofpure gold,and the only source of fuel that was allowed to be used to light the lamps wasfresh olive oil.The menorah was placed in theTabernacle.Biblical tradition holds thatSolomon's Templewas home to ten menorahs, which were later plundered by theBabylonians;theSecond Templeis also said to have been home to a menorah. Following theRoman destruction of Jerusalem and the Templein 70 CE, the menorah was taken toRome;theArch of Titus,which still stands today, famously depicts the menorah being carried away by the triumphant Romans along with other spoils of the destroyed temple. The menorah was reportedly taken to Carthage by theVandalsafter thesacking of Romein 455. Byzantine historianProcopiusreported that theByzantine armyrecovered it in 533 and brought it toConstantinople,then later returned it to Jerusalem, but many other theories have been advanced for its eventual fate, and no clear evidence of its location has been recorded sincelate antiquity.

Early representation of the menorah, on a coin coined byAntigonus II Mattathias,the lastHasmoneanking of Judea (r. 40–37 BCE)

The menorah is frequently used as a symbol inJewish art.There are no representations of the menorah from theFirst Temple period,but some examples dating from theSecond Temple periodhave been recorded. Menorah images that were discovered include the coins ofAntigonus II Mattathias,the lastHasmoneanking of Judea, as well as on the walls of anUpper City mansionandJason's Tombin Jerusalem, and objects such as theMagdala stone.Following the destruction of the Second Temple, the menorah came to be recognized as a distinctively Jewish symbol and was depicted on tomb walls, synagogue floors, sculptures and reliefs, as well as glass and metal objects. The menorah has been also used since then to distinguish synagogues andJewish cemeteriesfrom the places of worship and cemeteries ofChristiansandpagans.The symbol has also been found in several archaeological artifacts from ancientSamaritan,Christian and Islamic communities.TheHanukkah menorah,a nine-branched variant of the menorah, is closely associated with the Jewish festival ofHanukkah.

Construction and appearance

Hebrew Bible

TheHebrew Biblestates thatGodrevealed the design for the menorah toMosesand describes the construction of the menorah as follows:

³¹Make a lampstand of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. ³²Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. ³³Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. ³⁴And on the lampstand are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. ³⁵One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. ³⁶The buds and branches shall be all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.

³⁷Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. ³⁸Its wick trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold. ³⁹Atalentof pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories. ⁴⁰See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.

The Book ofNumbers(Chapter 8) adds that the seven lamps are to give light in front of the lampstand and reiterates that the lampstand was made in accordance with the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain.

In other sources

Maimonides' drawing of the menorah.

Rabbinic sources teach that the menorah stood 18 handbreadths/palms (three commoncubits) high, or approximately 1.62 metres (5.3 ft).Although the menorah was placed in the antechamber of the Temple sanctuary, over against its southernmost wall, theTalmud(Menahot98b) brings down a dispute between two scholars on whether or not the menorah was situated north to south, or east to west. The branches are often artistically depicted as semicircular, butRashi,(according to some contemporary readings) andMaimonides(in a sketch commented on by his sonAvraham),held that they were straight;all other Jewish authorities, both classical (e.g. Philo and Josephus) and medieval (e.g. Ibn Ezra), who express an opinion on the subject state that the arms were round.

TheRoman-JewishhistorianJosephus,who witnessed the Temple's destruction, says that the menorah was actually situated obliquely, to the east and south.

Arch of Titus

Depiction of the menorah on theArch of Titusin Rome

The most famous preserved representation of the menorah of the Second Temple was depicted in afriezeon theArch of Titus,commemorating histriumphal paradeinRomefollowing thedestruction of Jerusalemin the year 70 CE.In that frieze, the menorah is shown resting upon a hexagonal base, which in turn rests upon a slightly larger but concentric and identically shaped base; a stepwise appearance on all sides is thus produced. Each facet of the hexagonal base was made with two vertical stiles and two horizontal rails, a top rail and a bottom rail, resembling a protruding frame set against a sunken panel. These panels have some relief design set or sculpted within them.

Magdala Stone

Stonewith menorah that was found in the archaeological siteMagdala.

In 2009, the ruins of asynagogue in Magdalawith pottery dating from before the destruction of the Second Temple were discovered under land owned by theLegionaries of Christ,who had intended to construct a center for women's studies.Inside that synagogue's ruins, a carved stone block was discovered, which had on its surface, among other ornate carvings, a depiction of the seven-lamp menorah differing markedly from the depiction on the Arch of Titus, which could possibly have been carved by an eyewitness to the actual menorah present at the time in the Temple at Jerusalem. This menorah has arms which are polygonal, not rounded, and the base is not graduated but triangular. It is notable, however, that this artifact was found a significant distance from Jerusalem and the Arch of Titus has often been interpreted as an eyewitness account of the original menorah being looted from the temple in Jerusalem.

Usage

According to theBook of Exodus,the lamps of the menorah were lit daily from fresh, consecrated olive oil and burned from evening until morning.

Josephusstates that three of the seven lamps were allowed to burn during the day also;however, according to one opinion in theTalmud,only the center lamp was left burning all day, into which as much oil was put as into the others.Although all the other lights were extinguished, that light continued burning oil, in spite of the fact that it had been kindled first. This miracle, according to the Talmud, was taken as a sign that theShechinahrested among Israel.It was called thener hama'aravi(Western lamp) because of the direction of its wick. This lamp was also referred to as thener Elohim(lamp of God), mentioned in I Samuel 3:3.According to the Talmud, the miracle of thener hama'araviended after the High Priesthood ofSimon the Justin the 3rd or 4th century BC.

Contrary to some modern designs, the ancient menorah burned oil and did not contain anything resemblingcandles,which were unknown in the Middle East until about 400 CE.

History

Tabernacle

The original menorah was made for thetabernacle,and the Bible records it as being present until theIsraelitescrossed theJordan River.When the tabernacle tent was pitched inShiloh,it is assumed that the menorah was also present. However, no mention is made of it during the years that theArk of the Covenantwas moved in the times ofSamuelandSaul.

Solomon's Temple

According to2 Kingsand theBooks of Chronicles,Solomoncreated ten lampstands ( "menorahs" ), that were put in theheikal,Solomon's Templemain chamber.The weight of the lampstands forms part of the detailed instructions given to Solomon byDavid.According to theBook of Jeremiah,the lampstands were taken away by theBabyloniangeneralNebuzaradanfollowing thedestruction of Jerusalem.

Second Temple

During the construction of theSecond Templefollowing theReturn to Zion,no mention is made of the return of the menorah but only of "vessels."Thebook of Maccabeesrecords thatAntiochus IVtook away the lampstands (plural) when he pillaged the Temple.The later record of the making of "new holy vessels" may refer to the manufacture of new lampstands.According to theTalmud,the returningHasmoneanswere poor and forced to construct the Menorah out of wood. They later upgraded it to silver and ultimately gold.

Rome

Destruction of the Temple in JerusalembyFrancesco Hayez.The menorah is carried away by Roman soldiers, on the bottom-left corner. Oil on canvas, 1867.

The menorah from the Second Temple was carried toRomeafter thedestruction of Jerusalemin 70 CE at the height of theFirst Jewish–Roman War.Its fate is recorded by Josephus, who states that it was brought to Rome and carried along during thetriumphofVespasianandTitus.Thebas reliefon theArch of Titusin Rome depicts a scene of Roman soldiers carrying away the spoils of the Second Temple, including the menorah.

For centuries, the menorah and the other temple treasures were displayed aswar trophieseither at theTemple of PeaceinRome,or in the Imperial Palace.It was still there when thecity was sackedbyVandalsin 455 CE.

Whereabouts Following the Vandal sack of Rome

Painting on Genseric sacking Rome byKarl Bryullov(1833–1836), depicting the menorah taken away by the Vandals.

A reconstruction of the menorah of theTemple in Jerusalem,manufactured by theTemple Institute.

The location and state of the Menorah following the Vandal sack of Rome remains a mystery. Many scholars assume that at this point the Menorah left Rome for Carthage and further destinations, but some believe that the Menorah remains in Rome to this day.

1. Many scholars consider as fact that the Menorah was carried off by theVandalsduring theSack of Romein 455 CE, the Menorah and other assorted treasures of the Temple in Jerusalem were taken toCarthage,the capital of theVandal Kingdom.They were still there when aByzantine armyunder GeneralBelisariuscaptured the city and defeated the Vandals in 533. Belisarius removed the Menorah and the other treasures and brought them toConstantinopleas trophies of war. According toProcopius,the Menorah was carried through the streets of Constantinople during Belisarius' triumphal procession.Procopius adds thatJustinian,prompted by superstitious fear that the treasures had been unlucky for Rome and Carthage, sent them back toJerusalemand the "sanctuaries of the Christians" there. The Menorah was therefore placed in the Nea Church located in the vicinity of what is today the Batei Makhse Square in the Old City.However, no record however exists of their arrival there, and there are no indications of pilgrimages to a shrine for the Menorah there. If the Menorah arrived in Jerusalem, it may have been destroyed whenJerusalem was pillaged by the Persians in 614,though legend suggests that it was secreted away by holy men, much as tradition purports the original Menorah was hidden before Nebuchadnezzar's invasion.
2. Legends and theories hypothesize the Menorah may have been melted down or broken into chunks of gold by conquerors, destroyed in a fire, kept at or returned toConstantinople,or lost in a shipwreck.
3. One notable tradition is that the Menorah actually never left Rome with the vandals. Orthodox Jews often cite as evidence of this the Oral Tradition, where there is a listing of Jewish treasures, which according to Jewish oral tradition are still in Rome, as they have been for centuries. According to a popular interpretation the Vatican has kept the Menorah and the other mentioned Temple treasures hidden for centuries. Some claim that it has been kept inVatican City,others that it is in the cellars of theArchbasilica of St. John Lateran.The above Oral Tradition is codified in theAvot of Rabbi Natan,one of theminor tractatesprinted with the Babylonian Talmud.

   The objects that were crafted, and then hidden away are these: the tent of meeting and the vessels contained therein, the ark and the broken tablets, the container of manna, and the flask of anointing oil, the stick of Aaron and its almonds and flowers, the priestly garments, and the garments of the anointed [high] priest.
   
   But, the spice-grinder of the family of Avtinas [used to make the unique incense in the Temple], the [golden] table [of the showbread],the menorah,the curtain [that partitioned the holy from the holy-of-holies], and thehead-plateare still sitting in Rome.

Symbolism

Judaism

Seven-branched menorah,Eshtemoa synagogue(4th–5th century CE).Rockefeller Museum

The menorah symbolized the ideal of universal enlightenment.The idea that the menorah symbolizes wisdom is noted in the Talmud, for example, in the following: "Rabbi Isaac said: He who desires to become wise should incline to the south [when praying]. The symbol [by which to remember this] is that… the Menorah was on the southern side [of the Temple]."

The seven lamps allude to the branches of humanknowledge,represented by the six lamps inclined inwards towards, and symbolically guided by, the light ofGodrepresented by the central lamp. The menorah also symbolizes the creation in seven days, with the center light representing theSabbath.

Hannukah Menorah

Main article:Hanukkah menorah

19th century Hanukkah menorah fromAustria-Hungary.Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme

A nine-branched menorah is also a symbol closely associated with the Jewish holiday ofHanukkah.According to theTalmud,after theSeleuciddesecration of the JewishTemple in Jerusalem,there was only enough sealed (and therefore not desecrated) 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.

TheTalmudstates that it is prohibited to use a seven-lamp menorah outside of the Temple.A Hanukkah menorah therefore has eight main branches, plus the raised ninth lamp set apart as theshamash(servant) light which is used to kindle the other lights. The wordshamashwas not originally a "Hanukkah word" and only became associated with the holiday in the 16th century although it first appeared in the Mishnah (c. 200 C.E.) and Talmud (c. 500 C.E.).This type of menorah is called ahanukkiahinModern Hebrew.

Kabbalah and the symbol of light

This is alluded to in the verses: "Though I walk through the valley of the deepest darkness, I will fear no evil, because You are with me"and "because even if I have fallen, I will rise again; even if I feel in the darkness,Hashemis my light. "Let the light of Divinity perceptions descend into the depths of" darkness ", into" the valley of the deepest darkness ", to illuminate the lowest, so that even that light and consciousness of Divinity reaches them, so that He can heal and correct them to return them to Him.

In KabbalahOr Panim( "the light of the Face" ) is a fundamental conception for the process calledTikkun.All theKavvanot,the spiritual measures of faith for the realization of the Kingdom of God, focus on the manifestation of theOr Panim;actually darkness is in itself a negative element, that is, it does not give thehopeof obtaining complete devotion: "darkness" is like an inaccessible place, darkness conceals the depth of the gaze; inChassidutan awakening from belowis the "service" for God, i.e. theAvodah.

During the victory of theKedushahin Hanukkah, theKohen Gadolalmost declared thatdivine lightmust triumph. When the risk of "fall" can do the loss offaithin the Jewish religion as the abyss of Israel's personal and collective identity, the Kohen Gadol thus insists for the "awakening" of the most distantsoulsin order to direct them withKavanahtowards the fulfillment of theMitzvot:...because theTorahis the light and theMitzvahis a lamp.

Christianity

Reverse of 1590 coin in honor ofUrban VIIwith menorah and the legend
SIC•LUCEAT•LUX•VESTRA
(Let your light so shine –Matt. 5:16)

The New TestamentBook of Revelationrefers to a mystery of seven golden lampstands representing seven churches.The messages to the seven churches from Jesus Christ found have at least four applications: (1) a local application to the specific cities and believers in the church; (2) to all the churches of all generations; (3) a prophetic application unveiling seven distinct phases of church history from the days of the apostle John until today; (4) a personal application to individual believers who have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying.

According toClement of AlexandriaandPhilo Judaeus,the seven lamps of the golden menorah represented the sevenclassical planetsin this order: the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

It is also said to symbolize theburning bushas seen byMosesonMount Horeb.

The giant menorah from the 14th century in theBasilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, Brno

Kevin Connerhas noted of the original menorah, described in Exodus 25, that each of the six tributary branches coming out of the main shaft was decorated with three sets of "cups... shaped like almond blossoms... a bulb and a flower..." (Exodus 25:33, NASB).This would create three sets of three units on each branch, a total of nine units per branch. The main shaft, however, had four sets of blossoms, bulbs and flowers, making a total of twelve units on the shaft (Exodus 25:34). This would create a total of 66 units, which Conner claims is a picture of theProtestantcanon of scripture (containing 66 books). Moreover, Conner notes that the total decorative units on the shaft and three branches equate to 39 (the number of Old Testament books within Protestant versions of the Bible); and the units on the remaining three branches come to 27 (the number of New Testament books).Conner connects this to Bible passages that speak of God's word as a light or lamp (e.g. Psalms 119:105; Psalms 119:130; cf. Proverbs 6:23).

In theEastern Orthodox Churchthe use of the menorah has been preserved, always standing on or behind thealtarin the sanctuary.Though candles may be used, the traditional practice is to use olive oil in the seven-lamp lampstand. There are varying liturgical practices, and usually all seven lamps are lit for the services, though sometimes only the three centermost are lit for the lesser services. If the church does not have asanctuary lampthe centermost lamp of the seven lamps may remain lit as aneternal flame.

In art

Jewish art

Menorah in the Cave of the Sarcophagi,Beit She'arim necropolis

The use of the temple menorah as an artistic decoration during theSecond Temple periodand up to theBar Kokhba revoltis quite rare. Examples were uncovered in burial caves nearMukhmas(ancientMichmas),in theHerodian Quarterin theOld City of Jerusalem,and inMagdala(on theMagdala Stone). The use of menorahs in Jewish art and in particular in Jewishfunerary artbecame much more common in the late Roman and Byzantine periods.

Samaritan art

The menorah was a distinctive symbol ofSamaritanidentity during the Byzantine and Islamic periods.Repurposedstone menorah reliefs, some with accompanying plant decorations, have been found in contemporary structures in several villages of ancientSamaria,includingQariyet Hajjah,Kafr Abbush,Kafr Zibad,Kafr QaddumandKafr Jit.

Modern Jewish use

In synagogues

Synagogueshave a continually lit lamp or light in front of theTorah ark,where theTorah scrollis kept, called thener tamid(eternal light). This lamp represents the continually litner Elohimof the menorah used in Temple times.In addition, many synagogues display either a menorah or an artistic representation of a menorah.

State of Israel

TheEmblem of Israelshows a menorah surrounded by anolivebranch on each side and the writing "ישראל" (Israel) based on its depiction on theArch of Titus.

A menorah appears in theEmblem of Israel,based on the depiction of the menorah on the Arch of Titus.

Temple Institute reconstruction

TheTemple Institutehas created a life-sized menorah, designed by goldsmith Chaim Odem, intended for use in a futureThird Temple.The Jerusalem Post describes the menorah as made "according to excruciatingly exacting Biblical specifications and prepared to be pressed into service immediately should the need arise."The menorah is made of one talent (interpreted as 45 kg) of 24 karat pure gold, hammered out of a single block of solid gold, with decorations based on the depiction of the original in the Arch of Titus and the Temple Institute's interpretation of the relevant religious texts.

Other modern Jewish uses

A menorah appeared on the cap badge of theFirst Judeansof the Jewish Legion (1919–1921).

Sometimes when teaching learners of theHebrew language,a chart shaped like the seven-lamp menorah is used to help students remember the role of thebinyanimof theHebrew verb.

The menorah is the main element in severalHolocaust memorials.

• 
  TheKnesset Menorahoutside theKnesset(IsraeliParliament).
• 
  TheJewish Legioncap badge: menorah and word קדימהKadima(forward)
• 
  Menorah monument at Jewish Cemetery ofTheresienstadt concentration camp
• 
  Menorah monument to the 33,771 Jews murdered atBabi Yar,Ukraine
• 
  Menorah memorial of the State of Israel with memorial wreaths,KZ Mauthausen memorial,Austria
• 
  Menorah in flames,Holocaust memorial commemorating deportation ofThessaloniki Jews

Similar objects

Thekinarais also, like the menorah, a seven candleholder which is associated with theAfrican Americanfestival ofKwanzaa.One candle is lit on each day of the week-long celebration, in a similar manner as the Hannukah menorah.

InTaoism,the Seven-Star Lampqi xing dengThất tinh đèn is a seven-lamp oil lamp lit to represent the seven stars of theNorthern Dipper.This lampstand is a requirement for all Taoist temples, never to be extinguished. In the first 9 days of the lunar 9th month festival, an oil lamp of nine connected lamps may also be lit to honour both the Northern Dipper and two other assistant stars (collectively known as the Nine Emperor Stars), sons ofDou Muappointed by the TaoistTrinity(the Three Pure Ones) to hold the Books of Life and Death of humanity. The lamps represent the illumination of the 7 stars, and lighting them are believed to absolvesinswhile prolonging one's lifespan.

In popular culture

The menorah features prominently in the 2013 crypto-thrillerThe Sword of MosesbyDominic Selwood.It is also featured in the archaeology novelsCrusader Gold,byDavid Gibbins,The Last Secret of the Temple,byPaul Sussman,andThe Testament of Elias,by W.S. Mahler. A menorah can be seen in the movieX-Men: First Class,whenCharles XavierreadsErik Lehnsherr'smind, searching for a happy memory from his childhood before the Holocaust, and together they see Erik as a young child lighting his first menorah with his mother.

Gallery

• 
  Second Templeperiod stone tablet fromPeki'in Synagogue,Israel
• 
  Detail of a menorah relief on a column,Ostia Synagogue,1st century
• 
  Drawing from a prayer book depicting the lighting of the Menorah,1738,from the collections of theNational Library of Israel
• 
  In this 1806 French print, the woman with the menorah represents the Jews being emancipated byNapoleon Bonaparte
• 
  Kippaand menorah from the Harry S Truman collection
• 
  The menorah presented toTsar Boris IIIfrom theBulgarianJewish community(Tsarska Bistritsa)
• 
  Sephardic style menorah from Spain
• 
  A menorah on the flag ofIglesia ni Cristo
• 
  Fray Juan Ricci(1600–1681), sketch of the menorah as described in Exodus, undated. Biblioteca Statale del Monumento Nazionale diMonte Cassino,cod. 469, fol. 199v
• 
  Illustration of menorah published inActa Eruditorum,1709

See also

• Star of David
• Lachish Ewer
• Jewish symbols
• Drabsha,symbol of the Mandaean faith that represents the Light of God and seven days of creation.
• Mishneh TorahAvodahLaws of the Temple 3:1–10
• Seven-branched candelabrum (Essen)

Further reading

• Fine, Steven. 2010. "'The Lamps of Israel': The Menorah as a Jewish Symbol." InArt and Judaism in the Greco-Roman World: Toward a New Jewish Archaeology.By Steven Fine, 148–163. New York: Cambridge University Press.
• --. 2016. The Menorah: From the Bible to Modern Israel. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2016.
• Hachlili, Rachel. 2001.The Menorah, the Ancient Seven-Armed Candelabrum: Origin, Form, and Significance.Leiden: E.J. Brill.
• Levine, Lee I. 2000. "The History and Significance of the Menorah in Antiquity." InFrom Dura to Sepphoris: Studies in Jewish Art and Society in Late Antiquity.Edited by Lee I. Levine and Ze’ev Weiss, 131–53. Supplement 40. Portsmouth, RI: Journal of Roman Archaeology.
• Williams, Margaret H. 2013. "The Menorah in a Sepulchral Context: A Protective, Apotropaic Symbol?" InThe Image and Its Prohibition in Jewish Antiquity.Edited bySarah Pearce,77–88. Journal of Jewish Studies, Supplement 2. Oxford: Journal of Jewish Studies.
• Taylor, Joan E. (1995). "The Asherah, the Menorah and the Sacred Tree".Journal for the Study of the Old Testament.20(66). SAGE Publications: 29–54.doi:10.1177/030908929502006602.ISSN0309-0892.S2CID170422840.

External links

• JewishEncyclopedia: Candlestick– by Emil G. Hirsch, Wilhelm Nowack
• JewishEncyclopedia: Arch of Titus– by Morris Jastrow Jr., Immanuel Benzinger
• JewishEncyclopedia: Menorah– by Cyrus Adler, Judah David Eisenstein
• Livius.org on the Menorah
• The Historical Background and the Roots of the Temple Menorah as a visual motif (Heb.)– by Yuval Baruch, City of David: Studies of Ancient Jerusalem