![]() Each lamp had a cover on it with a hole in the middle for the oil. The center lamp, however, resembled a basin. ![]() The lamps were "boat shaped" with pointed ends that faced the center lamp. Each lamp was made of the same gold used to form the rest of the menorah. The menorah had seven lamps, one lamp on top of the middle stem and one on top of each of its six branches. Note that the 7x7 image is a symbol of perfection. The vision of Zechariah (see below) revealed seven "pipes" leading to each of the seven branches. Genesis is the "root" from which the Torah grows. The sages link the root/branches with the first verse of Genesis, which begins with 7 words. The "tree of life" itself is based on plant-light analogy. A three-stepped platform was placed in front of the menorah for kindling the wicks. According to Maimonides, the central lamp faced the Holy of Holies. The branches were made of beaten gold from the same piece as the main shaft or trunk line. In that sense, the menorah itself resembled a tree, just as the Torah is referred to as a Tree of Life ( עֵץ־חַיִּים): Unlike modern depictions of the menorah, it is thought that the branches were all straight (yashar), not curved. Some of the ancient commentators linked these numbers associated with the description of the Menorah with the five books of the Torah as follows: According to the Talmud, the menorah measured seventeen "handbreadths" (tefachim) in height and nearly 100 pounds in pure beaten gold. The divine lampstand had seven branches, twenty-two "goblets" (flower cups), eleven "knobs" (buds), and nine flowers. 25:31-40), when the pattern (i.e., tavnit: תַּבְנִית) was revealed to Moses while he was at Sinai ( Exod. The instructions for making the menorah were given earlier, in the Book of Exodus ( Exod. The sages link the design of the menorah with the Torah, which is regarded as the source of Divine light in the world. It is called the "lamp of God" ( נֵר אֱלהִים) in the Scriptures ( 1 Sam. According to the Talmud, the menorah measured eighteen tefachim (i.e., "palms") in height (from the base to the start of the lamps), or roughly 5.25 feet. The central shaft held the light of the shamash (servant lamp), and served as the base for the other branches. It was a highly decorative work that had seven branches (with seven lamps), nine flower blooms, eleven fruits, and twenty two cups, all that were "one" with its substance ( Exod. The menorah itself was formed mikshah ( מִקְשָׁה), that is, beaten from a single piece of pure gold ( זָהָב טָהוֹר) that weighed 3,000 shekels of silver (nearly 100 pounds). The sages understood this to mean that the seven lamps must all be "turned" toward the central stem (or shaft), which is regarded as "the face of the menorah" ( Exod. Our Torah portion this week begins with the LORD instructing Aaron to light the seven lamps of the menorah ( מְנוֹרָה) so that they would give light "toward the face of the menorah" ( אֶל־מוּל פְּנֵי הַמְּנוֹרָה). I love the Jewish parodies on pop songs (especially the ones about Chanukah) that have been popularized by artists like Shlock Rock, the Maccabeats, and others.Parashat Beha'alotekha - The Menorah as Tree of Lifeįurther thoughts on Parashat Beha'alotekha But I’m also a huge country music fan, and as the song goes, “What a sad state of affairs I’m in, when I search for songs ’bout Chanukah to make me grin… Ain’t no country!” Yidneck Records is preparing to launch a Kickstarter campaign to fund the creation of a Jewish Country Music album that will include 8-10 tracks plus a bonus duet track, all parodies on contemporary and classic country hits. The songs will use the humor, the storytelling, and the down-home feeling that make Country music unique to teach Jewish kids, teens, and adults about their heritage, and foster in them a sense of Jewish pride. ![]() ![]() The album’s primary focus will be Chanukah songs, but other Jewish topics will be included as well.įor each song we release, there will be a corresponding lesson plan posted on our web site, available for free download by parents and educators who are seeking creative ways to teach Jewish country fans about our heritage. I’ve been entertaining and educating audiences since 1986. Many of my experiences over the past three decades have come together to spark this project. That’s me on the cover of Shlock Rock’s 4th album, released in 1991. I also co-wrote one of the songs on the album. In 1987, Etan and I were expelled from the same Yeshiva high school for being deemed “negative influences” by the principal.
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