Page 17 - HaMizrachi #15 2019 Chanuka USA
P. 17
8 Illuminating Facts
about the Menorah in the Beit Hamikdash
guided by – the light of G-d as rep-
resented by the central lamp. The
Menorah also symbolizes the Cre-
ation in seven days, with the center
light representing Shabbat.
According to one opinion in
the Talmud, only the center lamp of
the Menorah in the Beit HaMikdash
– into which as much oil was put as
into the others – was left burning all
day. Although all the other lights were
extinguished, that light continued
burning, despite being lit first. This
miracle was taken as a sign that the
Shechina, the Divine Presence, rested
over Israel. It was called the Ner
HaMa’aravi (Western lamp) because
of the direction of its wick. This lamp
was also referred to as the Ner Elokim
(lamp of G-d).
1 Baba Batra 12a.
2 Rashi, Shabbat 22b.
3 Menachot 86b.
4 I Samuel 3:3.
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