It’s not the Star of David. The oldest symbol associated with the Jewish people is the Menorah, as described in Exodus chapter 25. The lamp stand was a prominent fixture that stood In Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, as well as in the Second Temple, which was sacked by the Roman Empire in the first century.
A depiction of the soldiers carrying away the Menorah is forever etched in the famous Arch of Titus located on the Via Sacra in Italy’s capital, near the Forum and Colosseum.
Hanukkah, the holiday that begins on sundown Sunday Dec. 14, commemorates the anniversary of the victory of the Israelites over the Seleucid Empire in 164 BCE, when after nearly 80 years, the Temple was recaptured, reopened and rededicated as the national house of worship of the Jewish people.
The milestone moment was marked by the lighting of the Menorah, symbolizing the nation’s sovereignty being restored. Therefore, from then on Menorahs have been lit as part of the celebration and the holiday is referred to as the Festival of Lights. While there are many beautiful lessons about liberation, and dispelling darkness inherent in Hanukkah, the physical aspects of the holy candelabra also teaches us a valuable message.
Three branches emanate from each side of the central trunk of the ritual object holding a cup and wick for a flame, for a total of six, with a seventh placed atop of the centerpiece. All of it stemming from a base that allows it to stand firmly.
Naturally, a myriad of explanations over the millennia have been developed to explain the look of the Menorah. For example, the seven candles represent the seven days of creation, and how according to Genesis the world began with the Creator uttering the words, “Let there be light.”
Some say its form was meant to suggest a tree — hence branches and a trunk, to call to mind the Tree of Life and the origin story of the Garden of Eden. Others claim its shape was inspired by a local plant found in the immediate area commonly called the Jerusalem Sage or by its botanical name the Salvia hierosolymitana. However, a commentary by the Kabbalists about the design of the Menorah truly resonates for today’s times.
The mystics noted that the branches stand for all the various religions and peoples around the entire planet. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, folk beliefs throughout China and other regions, and even non-believers. All souls are reflected, as they see the radiance of the flames as a metaphor for the light within each person.
And the Menorah demonstrates how we are separate yet produce light together. But most importantly they pointed to the base. For without something to unite us we are not connected and like the Menorah with no base, it falls. The base of the candelabrum provides visual evidence that every person is bound by the desire for freedom, justice, equality, dignity, independence, and peace.
It’s the basis of humanity and exactly what Hanukkah is truly about. As we look around at all the conflict in every corner, we realize the world needs Hanukkah to be celebrated this way, now.
