The Design of the Temple Menorah

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The Design of the Temple Menorah: Did the menorah have circular or straight branches?

The menorah is possibly the most popular Jewish symbol, yet there’s much confusion as to how it really looked.

Rabbi Mendel Kaplan is the Spiritual Leader and Executive Director of Chabad Flamingo in Thornhill, Ontario, serving one of Canada’s most dynamic Jewish communities. He also serves as Chaplain of the York Regional Police Service. He is an active member of Toronto’s Vaad HaRabbanim (Council of Orthodox Rabbis), and a voting member of the COR Kashruth Council of Canada’s executive rabbinical board. Rabbi Kaplan is featured regularly on many local television and radio shows. He is a sought after speaker, with hundreds of lectures on Chabad.org. He and his wife, Faygie, are blessed with eight children. Artistically endowed, the rabbi enjoys drawing, sketching and creating charcoal portraits.

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9 Comments

Elizabeth Majeski Caledonia April 12, 2025

is the menorah lite at Passover? Reply

Mendel Kaplan Thornhill April 28, 2025

in response to Elizabeth Majeski:

In the Temple every day of the year. In our homes and synagogues, a Menorah is lit on Chanukah. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel is you enjoy my online teachings. YouTube.com/rabbimendelkaplan Reply

Joy January 18, 2017

Almond tree ? Would it be the branches, flowers, almonds it would be the shape of a tree? Reply

Anonymous January 25, 2020

in response to Joy:

A branch is a tree? Reply

Joy Canada November 8, 2020

in response to Anonymous:

A branch can be a tree if it grows roots? Reply

Hersh Goldman 62 Essex Street, Swampscott, MA 01907 October 18, 2015

RE: Design of the Temple Menorah - Video by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan A picture is worth a thousand words. The video had a lot of words but needed more pictures. You should have had a photocopy reproduction of the actual Rampam drawing displayed . The actual Rambam branches were way out of whack on top. Would you have everybody believe the branches of the Menorah are uneven on top because that's the way the Rambam drew them?

I think you should have shown a photo of the Menorah coin minted by the last Chashmanoi King of Israel. That should be the most reliable research since he was the Kohen Gadol and was supposed to light the Menorah so who would know better what the menorah should look like? I called up the coin on internet and I can tell you the coin I got shows 7 branches in the shape of half circles growing out of a trunk that branches out at the base into three legs . If you question my description I can mail you the coin photo by post if you give me your house address. I have technical problems with sending material by e-mail. Reply

David Marx Totonto December 29, 2021

in response to Hersh Goldman:

I have been working on my own version of the Rambam’s menorah. It is based on the Chabad guidelines and has more decorative details than any other design published anywhere. If you wish to see my version, kindly reply to this email. Reply

Hersh Goldman Swampscott, MA 01907 December 30, 2021

in response to David Marx:

OK, David Marx. You're on. I accept your offer. Send me a copy of your version (obligation free) of the Menorah . I am not a Chabad Chasid so I hope you won't mind if I don't neccessariy hold by your Chabad sources. Still, I like your enthusiasm and I think artwork and exploration should be encouraged. If you mail me a copy of your picture of the Menorah with your return postal address, I will (blee neder) mail you a copy of my picture that I envisioned and drew (based on my analysis) related to the appearance of the Menorah. My address is next to my name in the Oct. 18, 2015 article you had responded to. Kol tuv. Reply

Daniel Henry Thomas Costa Rica July 13, 2013

Am Yisrael Or Lagoyim As a Goy from beautiful Costa Rica, please allow me to express my most sincere congratulations to chabad.org for becoming a most appealing beacon of Light and Truth to guide us... Please allow us to manifest our utmost respect and appreciation for Rabbi Mendel Kaplan for sharing his wisdom.

Feeling most impressed about the concept of the cups of the angular Menorah pointing downwards, because this is the relation in which this Light comes... please let us know how does this relate to 'Am Yisrael Or Lagoyim', and how particularly it relates to us Goyim, and the openness to study Kabbalah ever since the Holy Ari, after XVI century of the common era...

Thank you, greetings from Costa Rica!
(Pura Vida) Reply

Did the menorah have circular or straight branches?