SYMBOLISM OF THE MENORAH

Adapted from the Overview of 'Chanukah - Its History, Observance and Significance'
Published by Mesorah Publications. Brooklyn, New York

The Menorah, too, represents Torah, but it symbolizes Torah She'baal Peh the Oral Law, the companion of the Written Torah; the part that man can derive, embellish, and - in a sense - 'create' by using his own diligence and intelligence in accord with the God-given hermeneutical principles. This is not to suggest that the Oral Law is the creature of human invention and creativity. The Oral Torah was taught to Moses along with the written one and, indeed, one could not exist without the other. The Torah itself cannot be understood properly - and much of it cannot be understood at all - without the explanations, laws, and amplifications that form the Oral Law. In addition, within the rules of rabbinic discourse and inquiry, students may question and elucidate, and the product of their intellectual inquiry acquires the sanctity and status of Torah.

Although the Oral Law allows man to exercise his creative, inquisitive abilities, its essence was transmitted by God to Moses, for every authentic addition to the store of Torah knowledge flows from the principles of the God-given law. A halachic ruling regarding tomorrow's electronic technology or medical breakthrough will be decided according to the eternal principles of Halachah; consequently, that ruling will be part of the Sinaitic tradition.

This concept is symbolized by the Menorah. It was placed outside the Paroches where it was accessible to everyone - the Halachah provides that one need not even be a Kohen to light it - and it was kindled by means of wicks, oil, and flame that were all produced by man. For this is the essence of the Oral Law: when man acts as God commands him to, he can create new wisdom that becomes a part of the Torah, just as man's wicks, oil, and flame, when added to the Menorah, became a holy part of the Temple.

The Menorah - which would illuminate Jewish minds and hearts with its spiritual glow, by inspiring them to contribute to the riches of the Oral Law - was the fulfillment of God's command that there be light in His universe. It was the First thing He desired For His world, for a world without the light of Torah is mired in darkness.

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