Golden-Temple-Menorah
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Introduction The Torah prescribes the menorah as a single, beaten work of pure gold with a central shaft and six branches, each branch bearing cups like almond blossoms with calyx and flower (Exodus 25:31-40). Later temple descriptions and prophetic visions repeat and amplify the menorah’s imagery (Solomon’s temple ornamentation; Zechariah’s vision of a lamp stand with two trees). The menorah’s decorative program-almond motifs, pomegranates, cedar/leaf scrollwork, and the use of gold-draws on a network of Tanach images that together shape a coherent Hebraic theology of watchfulness, fruitfulness, longevity, and divine light.
Let us now discover all the beauty and the Golden
Menorah’s components’ in detail as there is so much to discover?:
Almond - שָׁקֵד the Hebrew root word means “to watch over.’’
1. The base of the Menorah stands on two Almond flower petals.:
Torah
context: The
menorah’s cups are explicitly described as “like almond blossoms” in Exodus 25:31-40.
The almond motif is therefore part of the menorah’s form.
From Tanach: Aaron’s rod that budded and produced almonds (Numbers 17) links the almond to priestly confirmation and divine sign. Jeremiah’s vision uses the almond (שָׁקֵד) as a wordplay with the verb “I watch” (שָׁקַד), explicitly connecting the almond to divine vigilance (Jeremiah 1:11–12).
Symbolic reading: The Menorah stands on two Almond petals. Symbolizes the Two Tablets. There are 5 petals on each almond flower. So two almond flowers equal 10 petals. Symbolizes the Ten Commandments. Also the number Two represents Duality. Everything earthly is embedded in plurality. Absolute Oneness prevails only with Elohim.
The Almond Tree is the
first fruit tree to blossom and the last fruit to ripen.
Symbolism - Elohim is the Aleph and Tav the first and the
last
watching over all of His creation.
On the Oil Lamps are the embossed
Almond Leaves.
Sinnatic pictograph for שָׁקֵד (almond / shaqed):
ש (sh) - head, beginning; ק (q) -
eye/watch; ד (d) - hand/doing First of the beginning that
watches and acts.
2.Green almond and Almond bud with stamens:
The almond’s early
blossoming (first to bloom among all the fruit trees) and its bud form are
natural images for hastening, awakening, and the first sign of life.
The almond bud motif on the menorah’s cups visually announces the menorah as a
place of early, vigilant light—Elohim’s presence that “watches” and
hastens to fulfill His word (Jeremiah’s wordplay).
Symbolic: The bud and stamen detail emphasize renewal and the quickening of life. The menorah is not merely static ornament but a living sign of Elohim’s activity.
3. Pomegranate
motif:
Tanach placement: Pomegranates
appear as repeated sanctuary ornament (Solomon’s temple capitals and networks)
and on the hem of the high priest’s robe (Exodus 28:33–34; 1 Kings 7). The
pomegranate is therefore a temple emblem.
Symbolic reading:
The second Motif the Pomegranate and its scroll work represents its leaves, and symbolises the Tree of Knowledge and Good and Evil. (Due to the many encapsulated seeds representing vast knowledge).
Sinnatic pictograph for רִמּוֹן (pomegranate / rimon):
ר (r) =
head/beginning; מ (m) = water/flow; ן (n) = seed/continuity
- headed flow of many seeds (abundant continuity).
4. Cedar of
Lebanon pine cone / cedar motif:
Tanach : The
cedar of Lebanon is the emblem of strength, endurance, and longevity in the
Psalms and prophetic poetry; the righteous are likened to cedars (Psalms).
Solomon’s temple uses cedar extensively in structure and ornament (1 Kings).
Symbolic
reading: The Motif of the Cedar of Lebanon Pine Cone and the scroll work
represents its leaves, and symbolizes the Tree of Life (Due to the longevity of
the Cedar of Lebanon).
Sinnatic pictograph for אֶרֶז (cedar / erez):
א (a) = leader/first; ר (r) = head/beginning; ז (z) = seed/continuity - established, enduring growth.
5.Gold and the OnePiece Construction:
Torah emphasis: The menorah must be of pure
gold and “of one piece” (מִקְשָׁה), hammered work (Exodus 25:31-40). Symbolic
reading: Gold represents purity and is neutral. It does not react with
any element. Elohim refines us as Gold and we are set apart to worship Him
only. We do not react or mix as the rest of the nations of the world reacts and
mixes.
Sinnatic pictograph for זָהָב (gold / zahav):
ז (z) = seed/continuity; ה (h) = breath/being; ב (b) = house/containment → enduring presence contained
and revealed.
Seven Lamps, Perfection, and Temple Light:
Tanach pattern: The menorah’s
seven lamps (central plus three branches on each side) are the Torah’s design;
Zechariah’s prophetic lampstand vision (a
golden lampstand with seven lamps and two
olive trees) reuses the sevenfold image to speak of ongoing provision and
Spirit empowered service. The number seven in the Tanach frequently
signals completeness or divine perfection, and the menorah’s seven
lights form a directed, complete illumination of the holy place. Also His light
should shine through His people Israel when we love Him with all our heart and
soul and willpower ( might).
Symbolic reading: Together these Two Trees make the
Perfect Tree of Elohim, the Light of the World symbolically represented by the
Golden Temple Menorah and its Seven Lights. The Seven Branched Menorah
represents the number 7 which symbolises perfection,
the symbolic number of Elohim. (Whereas 6 symbolically
represents the most imperfect number, the number of man).
Numeric 613 motifs:
The Tanach supplies
the motifs (almond, pomegranate, cedar, swirls, leaves), but it does not enumerate
counts such as “613 motifs” on the menorah. There are 613 motifs made up of
swirls, almonds, pine cones, pomegranates and leaves corresponding to 613
Mitzvoth on the Golden Temple Menorah in Jerusalem.
Thank you Shmuel Ben
Elisha, for your study!
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In Conclusion, a Question to Deepen the
Conversation:
Which
part of the Tanakh study, or possibly a particular
line or statement within it has touched you the most? And how do you
feel about spending more time studying our beloved Tanakh?
I pray that you are doing well as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing you are upholding as
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Dear
reader,
please remember this, pray for peace and solitude in your life, and then
work on keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve your life, for אֱלֹהִים - בָּרוּךְ
אֱלֹהִים - Bless
Elohim, He is always there and ready to help and guide you!
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Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the
following, via a number of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת יְהוָה - the LORD of
hosts”. Mal’a’chi -
Malachi 3:7. MEC).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה (the LORD your Eloheichem); walk in My statutes,
and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall
be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - YaHVaH your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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