What is the seven-branch menorah used for?

Answer 1

The 7-branched menorah stood in the Temple (Exodus ch.25). The symbolism behind the menorah was the dynamic nature of mitzvot. The mitzvah itself is the physical lamp, the Torah is the light. Today, depictions of the menorah stand in many synagogues.

Answer 2

They are not really used anymore... they used to be used in the temples of old times...

In synagogues the Ner Tamid is a continuously burning lamp which hangs over the ark. It is a symbol of the "western lamp" which was the eternal light that constantly burned in the Temple of Jerusalem. Furthermore, it is a symbol of God's unwavering presence and our never-ending faith in God so they never put out the flame. It also symbolizes the guiding light of the Torah and the ever- lasting covenant between God and the Jewish people. They are also intended to draw parallels between God and fire, or light, which is emphasized throughout the book of Exodus in the Torah.

In a Reform synagogue, it is often used to symbolize the light released from the shards of the receptacles that God used to create light and goodness. These lights are never allowed to dim or go out, and in the case of electric problems, different emergency energy sources are often used to prevent it from ending. Though they were once fueled by oil, most today are electric lights. The Ner tamids at Temple Sinai in Worcester, MA, and Temple Israel in Minneapolis, MN, are solar powered, symbolizing that synagogue's commitment to reducing dependencies on non-renewable resources.

The eternal light is the main reason to one of many stories behind the celebration of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. When the ancient Maccabees rebelled and reclaimed the Temple of Jerusalem, they relit the eternal light. However, there was only oil sufficient to keep the flame burning for one day, and it took eight days to bring new oil. Miraculously, the flame continued to burn until the new oil arrived.

It is often associated with the menorah, the seven-branched lampstand which stood in front of the Temple of Jerusalem. The Menorah is one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith. It menorah in the First and Second Temples had seven branches. After the Temples were destroyed, a tradition developed not to duplicate anything from the Temple and therefore menorah's no longer had seven branches. The use of six-branched menorahs became popular, but, in modern times, some rabbis have gone back to the seven-branched menorahs, arguing that they are not the same as those used in the Temple because today's are electrified. The nine-branched menorah used on Chanukah is commonly patterned after this menorah, because Chanukah commemorates the miracle that a day's worth of oil for this menorah lasted eight days.

Basically, it is a symbol of everything above. They never turn it off they just leave it on forever.

Answer 3

The Torah commands that the menorah (candelabrum) of the Bais Hamikdash (Temple) should have seven branches (Exodus ch.25). (Not to be confused with our Hanukkah-menorahs, which have eight candles plus a helper-candle used to light the others.)

Various types of symbolism can be suggested for this. The clearest connection is that, since God created the world in seven days (Genesis ch.1), the number seven has always had a connection with the Divine: seventh day of Sabbath, seventh year of shemittah, forty-nine days of Omer, seven days of Pesach, seven days of Sukkot, and the many instances of the number seven in the offerings (Numbers ch.28-29).

Seven also represents the world, with its seven continents and "seven seas". The ancients also listed their seven branches of wisdom.

Answer 4

The Hanukkah menorah is used as a symbol of the eight days and nights the candles miraculously stayed lit despite the insufficient amount of oil the Maccabees had during the war.

A menorah is only kosher if the shamash (the tallest one) is the tallest candle and all of the other candles are evenly aligned at the base.

Answer:The Hanukkah-menorah is used in order to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah.

The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) under Antiochus Epiphanes (2nd century BCE), at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices such as Sabbath-observance and circumcision, rededicated the Temple to a Greek idol, and pressed the Jews to offer up sacrifices to the idol. One of the leading elder Jewish sages called upon the people to keep observing the Torah anyway; and if necessary, to use force in resisting the decrees. When a Hellenized Jew offered a sacrifice to the Greek idols in a nearby village, the sage killed him as well as the Greek overseer. This brought a violent reaction from the Greeks; and the loyal Jews, led by the Hasmonean family, were forced to retreat from their towns and strike out at the Greeks in an attempt to oust them from the Holy Land and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah. The Torah-Jews were heavily outnumbered by the attacking Greek armies, but God gave them miraculous victories again and again. After three years of struggle, the Greek armies retreated from Jerusalem, and the Hasmoneans (also called Maccabees) entered the Holy Temple which the Greeks had defiled, reconsecrated it to God, and began the Temple service once more. Among other things, they wanted to relight the olive oil candelabrum (Exodus ch. 25), but could only find one day's supply of undefiled oil - and it would take eight days to make and bring some more.

Miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for eight days (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), allowing enough time for new oil to be prepared and brought. The significance of the miracle is that it demonstrated that God's presence was still there. The Torah-community was overjoyed, because God's presence meant everything to them.

This is what Hanukkah represents: the closeness to God; and the avoidance of Hellenization (assimilation).

The Torah Sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah at that time (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), to publicize the miracle (Rashi commentary, ibid). This is why we light our Hanukkah-menorahs.

(The Hanukkah-menorah, or hanukkiyah, is a special form of the original seven-branched menorah. Our Hanukkah-menorahs have eight spaces for oil, or candles, to mark each of the eight days for which the oil lasted and a ninth to hold the shamash, a candle used to light the others.)

The Al-Hanisim prayer which we recite during Hanukkah centers around the Hasmoneans' victory and rededication of the Temple, while the candle-lighting commemorates the miracle of the oil.

Though the military victory is prominently mentioned in the prayers, it wouldn't have been celebrated if not for the miracle of the oil. It should also be noted that the main goal for which the Maccabees fought was not political independence. They fought to enable the people to observe the Torah's commandments; as we say in the Al Hanisim prayer: "The Greeks sought to cause us to forget Your Torah and leave Your statutes."

Answer 5

There are three types of menorah. Only one of them (the first) had to have seven branches.

The menorah in the Israelite Tabernacle (and later the Temple) had seven branches as commanded (Exodus ch.25). It was kindled every evening with olive oil.

On Hanukkah, Jews light an eight-branch menorah (with candles or oil) in commemoration of ancient events. An extra candle is used to light the others and is then placed alongside them.

In synagogues, a symbolic five or seven-branched electric menorah may be lit year-round, but is not obligatory.

Answer 6

There are three types of menorah. Only one of them (the first) had to have seven branches.

• The menorah in the Israelite Tabernacle (and later the Temple) had seven branches as commanded (Exodus ch.25). It was kindled every evening with olive oil.
  
• On Hanukkah, Jews light an eight-branch menorah (with candles or oil) in commemoration of ancient events. An extra candle is used to light the others and is then placed alongside them.
  

Link: How Hanukkah began

• In synagogues, a symbolic five or seven-branched electric menorah may be lit year-round, but is not obligatory.
  

Answer 7

The seven-branched Menorah was used in the Tabernacle (Exodus ch.25) and the Holy Temple.

Answer 8

It represents the 7 days that G-d spent creating the world. The 7th candle represents the day of rest, or Sabbath.

Answer 9

The 7-branched menorah has 7 branches representing the 7 days of the week or the 7 days of creation. This menorah was in the Temple in Jerusalem until the Roman Army took it back to Rome after looting and destroying the Temple in the year 70. It was and remains a central symbol of Judaism.