Continuous Light

And you shall command (t’tzaveh) the Children of Israel that they take for you pure olive oil, pressed, for lighting, to make a light shine out continuously (ner tamid).                          Exodus 27:20

Ba’al haTurim points out that the gematriya of the words ner tamid (a continuous light) equals the gematriya of the word b’Shabbat (on Shabbat).

My father commented that the Ba’al haTurim teaches us the commonality between Shabbat and the menorah. Shabbat enlightens the rest of the week and brings sanctity to the week days. So too, the light of menorah, representing Torah, though lit in the sanctuary, spreads its sanctity into our daily lives.

Further, Ba’al haTurim notes that the word l’ha’alot (translated “to make,” literally, “to raise”) is spelled without the letter vav, which would be the full spelling of the word. The reason, says Ba’al haTurim is to teach us that even if six of the menorah’s candles are extinguished, the central one burns continuously.

The menorah symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. The six candles represent knowledge and wisdom other than Torah, which have validity and contribute to the welfare of mankind. The central branch represents Torah. The six candles were inclined towards the central candle, symbolizing that other forms of knowledge must be subservient to and influenced by Torah. All forms of wisdom have the potential to bring benefit for mankind, but only when they are tempered by the light of Torah. Otherwise, wisdom has the potential to be destructive.

The central candle shines continuously because other forms of wisdom depend upon the Torah, the Torah does not depend upon them.