"וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מְנֹרַ֖ת זָהָ֣ב טָה֑וֹר מִקְשָׁ֞ה תֵּעָשֶׂ֤ה הַמְּנוֹרָה֙ יְרֵכָ֣הּ וְקָנָ֔הּ גְּבִיעֶ֛יהָ כַּפְתֹּרֶ֥יהָ וּפְרָחֶ֖יהָ מִמֶּ֥נָּה יִהְיֽוּ"
You shall make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be made of hammered work; its base and its shaft, its cups, calyxes, and petals shall be of one piece.
25:31
What was the purpose of the Menorah? Chizkuni says: The function of menorah was to provide light for what was on the table. This is why the Torah says that Moshe positioned the menorah opposite the table. Why is there such detailed descriptions/ instructions for the menorah? Why is the word תיעשה spelled with an extra yud in this pasuk? Where are other places in the Torah where an extra letter is significant?
Why does it say תיעשה? Rashi says it’s because moshe had difficulty with the construction of the מנורה, and he got so frustrated he threw it into the fire. After this the מנורה actually started to build itself! So that’s why it said it made itself, because according to Rashi it actually did. I both like and dislike this answer. I like how Rashi was able to give an answer that fits with the literal translation of the word תיעשה, but I don’t love that it’s kind an unrealistic answer.
ReplyDeleteAn example of places in Tanach where there are differences in letterss is in במדבר י״ג:טז, where Moshe changes הושע’s name to יהושוע. Rashi says that Moshe did this to as Hashem, or י-ה, to הושע’s name. This was needed to protect him from the evil of the Meraglim. I like this because it shows that we must be strong as a person, but we still always have Hashem with us.
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ReplyDeleteAn example of a place where someone’s name has an extra letter is when Moshe’s name is spelled with an extra nun. Rashi says it is spelled like this because the Torah is talking about Moshe’s grandson who is a priest for avodah zara and doesn’t want to embarrass Moshe or taint his name. I think this is a really nice idea because if Hashem cares about other people then we should too.
ReplyDeleteThere are multiple symbolisms behind the menorah. More specifically what is the importance of it being made out of solid gold? Avraham Plotkin says a beautiful concept that our motives and actions should be completed ‘solid’ and consistent. Our insides should reflect our outsides In the way that the menorah spreads light which we know can be equated to knowledge we should also spread our knowledge however with the right motives. Not to look scholarly or gain praise or because we want a reward but strictly because that is something we want to do. Also he focused on the structure of the Menorah. That is that it starts out as one piece and branches out into many different parts. This further demonstrates the importance of spreading our knowledge. We should want to ‘branch out’ (pun intended) and spread our love of torah. I really like this answer because i can relate. A couple weeks ago i was talking to someone who isn't so religious and i found myself really trying to impart my knowledge of on them , not because i wanted them to think i was more educated but strictly because i wanted them to feel the love of torah i do. - rivka yellin
ReplyDeleteWhat is the purpose of the menora?
ReplyDeleteAccording to Rashbam it’s to make the breads on the table seen bc it says that the position of the menora was specifically opposite the table. I like this answer bc it’s a logical answer for the use of the menora
According to or hachaim, the reason there is an extra nun is because they want it to be known that lamp stand could be made of other metals. The fact that it says תיעשה in past tense instead of תעשה is because in moshes time there wasn’t a need to take advantage of permission to make the lampstead. I like this idea because it really just makes sense why there would be an extra nun and how it makes it relevant to the time.
ReplyDeleteEli Pink of chabad.org gives an excellent explanation for the symbolism behind the Menorah, and the specific ways it’s described. Along with the detailed instructions for the Menorah, Hashem tells Moshe, at the beginning of the parish, that the Menorah must be lit with olive oil, specifically the purest possible. In the times of the Bet HaMikdash, pure olive oil was very meticulously found. It had to be from the first drops, the best olives, at the top of the branches. Otherwise they couldn’t use it. This can come as a metaphor and lesson for our life. Regardless of the “olive tree” we come from, we must give over the best of our oil, reach our full potential as Jews, or else it doesn’t really matter. We have to push ourselves to the best of our best in order to better serve Hashem, and be the light and flame in the Menorah.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really inspiring and great way to look at the Menorah, and how it connects to our values as Jews. It can push us to be the best that we can be, and look at the Menorah as an example.
https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/858639/jewish/Grading-Oil.htm
According to the Daat Zkenim, the reason תיעשה is spelled with the letter י, is as a reminder that Shlomo placed ten menorot in the Beit Hamikdash. One one hand, I like his answer since it’s very simple but, It’s hard to accept his answer since we know there is nothing extra written in the Torah and his answer doesn’t seem strong enough to explain the yud.
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