Menorah
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Menorah incised in marble It was found in the Ancient market of Athens and its dated 500AD |
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The menorah, is a seven branched candelabrum lit by olive oil
in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah is one of
the oldest symbols of the Jewish people.
It is said to symbolize the burning bush
Origin
The Torah states that God revealed the design for the menorah to Moses, a plant that grows in Israel called the moriah typically has seven branches and resembles a menorah, leading to the theory that it provided the inspiration for its design Maimonides stated that the menorah in the Temple had straight branches, not rounded as is often depicted.
A second theory to the origin of the design of the menorah is based on what is known about ancient Hebrew cosmology, according to this theory, the seven branches represent the seven heavenly bodies.
Ancient use
According to the Bible, a menorah was used in the Tabernacle the portable
sanctuary used by the Jews.
It was one of the three chief furnishings of the Temple.The Menorah is
also a symbol closely associated with the Jewish holiday cosist of consecrated
olive oil left to fuel the eternal flame.
The Coat of Arms of Israel The Coat of Arms of Israel shows 7 seven branches of the menorah,
