Menorah

The menorah is an image of God's light and presence among the people. The prophet Zechariah links it with the words "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit".⁵

The seven branches are often interpreted as the seven days of creation; interpretations vary and are not binding.

Since the destruction of the Temple the seven-branched menorah has not been used ritually. The Talmud forbids making an exact copy of the Temple vessels, including the menorah; for this reason synagogue lamps usually have a different number of branches or differ in shape.^6,7,8

The menorah should not be confused with the hanukkiah, the nine-branched lamp for חנוכה (eight lights and a helper candle, the shamash).

After the conquest of Jerusalem in 70 CE the Romans carried the Temple vessels off to Rome; a relief on the Arch of Titus shows soldiers carrying the menorah.⁹

In late antiquity the menorah became the most widespread Jewish symbol on synagogue mosaics, tombstones and lamps. In 1949 it became part of the state emblem of Israel, framed by olive branches.⁹

The menorah motif appears on synagogue ark curtains, Torah shields and tombstones, especially of priestly families (kohanim) and in Sephardi settings.