What is the menorah?

Answer

The menorah is a lampstand with a longstanding tradition in both the Bible and the history of Judaism. The word itself is a transliteration of a Hebrew term. It was initially mentioned in Exodus 25:31-39:

“Make a lampstand of pure gold and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flower-like cups, buds, and blossoms shall be of one piece with it. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand – three on one side and three on the other. Three 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. And on the lampstand, there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. One 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. The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold. Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. Its wick trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold. A talent of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories.”

The original menorah was designed for use in the tabernacle in the wilderness before Israel entered the Promised Land. After the conquest of Canaan, it remained in the tabernacle “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.”, (Joshua 18:1) and was later used in the temple Solomon built.

The design of the menorah was quite significant. It included a shaft complemented with three branches on each side; thus, it held a total of seven lamps. Each cup had an intricate design. The menorah was mMade of one piece of hammered gold weighing one talent. Scholars debate the precise weight of a “talent of pure gold.” First-century Jewish historian Josephus mentioned that the menorah in his era weighed around 100 pounds. If this was the weight of the talent referred to in Exodus, it would signify a substantial amount of money. To provide a rough estimate, 1 gram of gold is presently valued at about $57.35. One hundred pounds of gold would equate to $2,603,690.00. Undoubtedly, throughout history, a talent of gold would have been immensely valuable. One commentator describes a talent of gold as equivalent to 20 years’ wages for an ordinary laborer in the first century.

As per the Mosaic Law, the menorah was kindled every evening and tidied every morning «In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.», (Exodus 27:21). It burned fresh olive oil.

Presently, the menorah remains one of the most recognizable symbols of Judaism. It is a standard feature in local synagogues. A nine-candle version is utilized in connection with the Jewish festival of Hanukah. Moreover, individuals engaged in reconstructing items for a forthcoming Jewish temple have crafted menorahs that mirror the design instructed to Moses.