The Jewish Menorah is first mentioned in the Bible in Exodus Chapter 25, where God commanded Moses to construct a seven-branched candelabrum made of pure gold to be used in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. This original menorah symbolized the light of God and was designed with seven branches, each holding a lamp fueled by fresh olive oil, and was kept continuously lit as an everlasting flame. The seven branches are interpreted as representing the seven days of creation, with the central branch symbolizing the Sabbath.
The Menorah stood in the Heichal (sanctuary) of the Temple, positioned either from north to south or east to west, with the western lamp (Ner Hamaaravi) being the one used to light the others and kept burning at all times. According to tradition, the western lamp was relit from the fire on the sacrificial altar if extinguished. The menorah was lit daily by priests, who would clean and refill the lamps each morning, using a half-log of oil per cup, sufficient to last through the longest winter night. The design included 42 adornments—22 goblets, 9 flowers, and 11 bulbs—symbolizing the 42 words in the first paragraph of the Shema, which calls for serving God with all one’s might.
The menorah played a central role in Temple worship until the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE, after which it ceased to be used in formal religious practice. Following the desecration of the Temple by the Greek ruler Antiochus IV in 167 BCE, the Maccabees successfully reclaimed it in 164 BCE. According to the Talmud, only enough consecrated oil was found to last one day, but it miraculously burned for eight days, allowing time to prepare new oil. This event is commemorated during Hanukkah, which led to the creation of the nine-branched Hanukkiah (or chanukkiyah), with eight branches for the eight nights and a ninth, the shamash, used to light the others.
The original seven-branched menorah was taken to Rome after the Roman conquest and is depicted on the Arch of Titus, which still stands today. It was reportedly taken to Carthage by the Vandals in 455 CE, recovered by the Byzantine army in 533 CE, and brought to Constantinople, though its ultimate fate remains uncertain. After the Temple’s destruction, the menorah became a powerful symbol of Jewish identity and resilience, appearing on Jewish coins and seals. It was later adopted as the official emblem of the State of Israel in 1948, symbolizing the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.
While the original seven-branched menorah is no longer made due to its sanctity, the nine-branched Hanukkiah remains central to Hanukkah celebrations, with one additional candle lit each night to commemorate the miracle of the oil. The menorah continues to symbolize the light of God, the nation of Israel’s mission to be “a light unto the nations” (Isaiah 42:6), and the unity of Torah study and mitzvot (commandments).
