The Menorah: Seven Wisdoms

And God spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to Aaron and say to him: when you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light towards the body of the menora.               Numbers 8:1-2

          The wicks of the six branches of the menora were inclined towards the central branch. Further, our Sages tell us that the seven cups of the menora were filled with equal amounts of oil, yet the central lamp always remained lit even after the other six burned out. Indeed, it was the central light of the menora which was the ner tamid, the eternal light.

          My father commented that the menora is the symbol of Torah, of the light that comes to us from the study knowledge and practice of Torah. Torah is the flame which illuminates our path in life. Without Torah, man gropes in darkness. Our existence and survival depend upon Torah, and Mankind’s progress was made possible through Torah. However, there are other sources of light and knowledge which guide Mankind and which are important to civilization. The various disciplines of science have made vital contributions to human progress.  Rather than belittling the sciences, our Sages speak of the branches of the menora representing the “seven wisdoms”.

          The lesson of the menora is that science is a blessing only when it is bent towards Torah. Without fear of God, science can become a most destructive force. It is when the other “wisdoms” are inclined towards Torah that they achieve their constructive purpose. The purpose of Torah is to shape and mold us to become better human beings, to be concerned with the destiny and fate of other people. With Torah as a guide, we will be able to achieve the benefit of science.

Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner.                                  General Omar Bradley