The Chanukah menorah is a variation of the classic menorah—which traditionally only has seven branches. The nine-branch Chanukah menorah was designed to accommodate the eight day celebration of the festival, but the seven-branch version was the original biblical design. In the book of Exodus, and elsewhere in the Torah, we find repeated commandments to build a seven-branch candelabrum with very specific design instructions, including special floral patterns and cups that had to be beaten into the all-gold menorah. The menorah would stand in the desert tabernacle, and later in the Temple in Jerusalem.
On the Shabbat during Chanukah, we read a special haftarah, or prophetic reading, that comes from the prophet Zechariah. Zechariah is prophesying in the newly reconstituted land of Israel soon after the exiles from Babylon returned. He was one of the voices that spurred the community to rebuild the second Temple in Jerusalem. In the Chanukah haftarah reading, Zechariah has a vision of the menorah that will be rebuilt for the new Temple—only in his vision, he sees something different than in the original design. In his vision, he sees that there will be two olive trees flanking the menorah—one on the left, and one on the right.
Traditional commentators have understood that these olive trees on either side of this menorah would ultimately produce the oil that would feed the menorah’s light. It was to be a self sustained little ecosystem of olive trees producing oil for the menorah that would stay lit from that very oil. One of the ways to understand this wonderful vision, is to meditate on that symbiotic relationship between the menorah and the olive trees. Just as the olive trees need light and warmth to grow, the menorah needs oil to burn so that it can produce light and warmth and feed the world with spiritual light. These two items, the olive trees and menorah, are in a mutually beneficial relationship with one another—as they each gain from the other’s strength.
What a wonderful holiday message—that as we give of ourselves to support our family and friends and community—as we kindle the flames of their spirit, they in turn, will nourish us.
L’shalom - to peace,
Rabbi Neal Katz
Rabbi Neal Katz
I would like to thank Rabbi Arthur Waskow from the Shalom Center in Philadelphia who taught me this wonderful take on the olive trees and the menorah.
Submitted by Rabbi Neal Katz of Congregation Beth El, Tyler, Texas.