We, are privileged in presenting herewith an article specially written for the Testimony by a “daughter of Zion” and friend of Britain, the protector of the Chosen People. Dr. Fraenckel-Auerbach’s researches extend to the fields of the History of Art and Architecture, and we are sure that her contribution will be of great interest to our readers. The opinions and deductions are essentially given from a Jewish aspect and they do not necessarily represent the views of The Testimony Committee. — A.E.J.
The Lampstand with the Seven Branches — in Hebrew: Menoräh — was one of the most sacred implements of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem; later, after the destruction of the Third Temple, it remained, throughout several centuries, one of the few symbols which Judaism conceived as expressing its own attitude of mind. It should be noted that we adopt the word “lampstand” or “standard lamp” in preference to the “candlestick” of the Bible; no candles were used, but small lamps containing each a wick and oil.
The book of Exodus gives a detailed description of the Menorah1. Through Moses the Lord’s command goes forth to the people of Israel, to construct the Ark, the Tabernacle, the Altar and all the necessary implements. There it is said: “And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made.... And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.... And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it....” Thus one has to picture the lampstand in the following manner: out of a base, whose appearance is not described, there grows a trunk, from which at three points the branches unfold to both sides. They bend upwards and carry the lamps, whereas the middle lamp is carried by the trunk itself. Four calyxes, formed like almond blossoms, are worked into the trunk, and three into each branch respectively. It is not actually mentioned, but all the visual representations known to us confirm, that the six branches are carried to the same height as the stem, so that the seven lamps are all on the same level. According to this description the lampstand resembles more or less the conventional image of a tree, whose branches grow upwards and, ending all at the same height, bear burning lamps.
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Author: Ingeborg Fraenckel-Auerbach
Keywords: Menorah, Mennorah, Menorrah, Candlestick, Lampstand, candelabrum, Candelabra, Seven branch, seven branches
Bible reference(s): Exodus 25:31, Exodus 25:32, Exodus 25:33, Exodus 25:34, Exodus 25:35, Exodus 26:35, Exodus 30:27, Exodus 31:8, Exodus 35:14, Exodus 37:17, Exodus 37:18, Exodus 37:19, Exodus 37:20, Exodus 39:37, Exodus 40:4, Exodus 40:24, Leviticus 24:4, Numbers 3:31, Numbers 4:9, Numbers 8:2, Numbers 8:3, Numbers 8:4, 1 Chronicles 28:15, 2 Chronicles 13:11, Daniel 5:5, Zechariah 4:2, Zechariah 4:11, Hebrews 9:2, Revelation 2:5, Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 26:17, 1 Maccabees 1:21, 1 Maccabees 4:49, 1 Maccabees 4:50, 2 Esdras 10:22
Source: “The Menorah,” The Testimony, Vol. 11, No. 129, September 1941, pp. 258-66.
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