The Golden Role

And you shall make the Menorah of pure gold. The Menorah, its base, its trunk, shall be a beaten work. Its decorative cones, its spheres, and its flowers shall be made from it. (Sefer Shemot 25:31)

I. So many details!

Parshat Terumah describes the design of the Mishcan – the Tabernacle – and its contents. The Mishcan was the precursor of the Bait HaMikdash – the Sacred Temple. It was created after the Sinai Revelation and was the focal point of the encampment in the wilderness. It served two purposes. First, all sacrifices were offered there. Second, the Divine Presence was manifested there and Hashem addressed Moshe from within the Mishcan.

The Torah describes the design of the Mishcan with unusual detail. Why is this detail required? Why does the Torah dictate the specific design of the Mishcan and its components? Hashem could have provided a general description of the Mishcan and its essential contents, leaving the specific design to the artisans who fabricated them.

II. The Menorah is a beaten work

Let’s explore this issue though considering some of the details provided for the design of the Menorah – the Mishcan’s candelabra. The Torah describes the basic structure of the Menorah and its decorative details. Among the decorative details are cones, flowers and spheres.

The cones are the lowest decorative elements at the top of each branch. The cones on each branch are topped by a sphere. A flower interrupts between the branch and the actual receptacle into which the wick and oil are placed.

The above passage explains that the Menorah is fashioned from a single block of gold that is beaten and trimmed into the shape of the Menorah. Rashi explains that the Menorah cannot be made by forming its components separately and then combining them. For example, the arms cannot be separately fabricated and then joined to the trunk.[1]

III. The fabrication of the decorative elements

Rashi extends this requirement to the decorative details. These too must be created from the single block through beating and trimming the metal.[2] This position reflects the ruling of the Talmud.[3] Ramban – Nachmanides – observes that this position is not universally accepted. He cites another Talmudic authority who rules that the decorative elements of the Menorah need not be formed from the block. The cones, spheres, and flowers can be formed separately and added onto the Menorah.

Ramban explains the reasoning supporting this position. The Torah describes the Menorah as formed from a block of gold. However, the Talmud explains that the Menorah may be made from other metals.[4] If it is made from another metal, the decorative details are not required. In other words, if the Menorah is made from gold then the decorative elements are mandatory; their absence renders the Menorah unsuitable for use. However, a silver Menorah is acceptable and it need not include the decorative elements enumerated in the passage.[5]

Ramban explains that this law demonstrates that the decorative elements are not essential components of the Menorah’s design. The authority he cites maintains that the Torah requires that the essential elements of the Menorah are formed from the single gold block. Elements that are not essential to the Menorah need not be formed from the block. Since the decorative elements are not essential to the design, they need not be formed from the single block.[6]

There is a problem with Ramban’s argument. It is correct that a Menorah made of some metal other than gold does not require the decorative elements. However, a gold Menorah must have these elements. If the gold Menorah does not include its cones, spheres, and flowers, it is unacceptable. These elements are essential to the gold Menorah. Ramban’s argument is that only the essential elements of the Menorah must be formed from the single block of gold. The decorative elements are essential to the gold Menorah. Why according to the opinion cited by Ramban are they permitted to be added rather than formed from the single block?

IV. The fundamental Menorah

To answer this question, Ramban’s argument requires further clarification. Let us begin by considering an analogy. There are many types of fixed-wing aircraft. Obviously, wings are an essential element of these aircraft. A helicopter is not a fixed-wing aircraft because it does not have this essential element – wings. Among fixed-wing aircraft some are powered by jet engines. Others are powered by propellers. Within the subcategory of jet aircraft, jet engines are essential. Aircraft powered by propellers cannot be classified within the subcategory of jet aircraft. The aircraft powered by propellers is within the more basic category of fixed-wing aircraft, but not included in the subcategory of jet aircraft.

Now, consider a specific jet aircraft – perhaps, a Boing 737 sitting at the tarmac at your local airport. Is it correct to posit that its jet engine is one of its essential components? The answer is that it depends upon the framework of the question. If the question is whether the jet engine is essential to the aircraft as a fixed-wing aircraft, then the answer is “no”. If the question is whether the jet engine is essential to the aircraft as a jet aircraft, the answer is “yes.”

Ramban’s argument is that the Torah established a definition of the basic Menorah. Let’s call this the definition of the “fundamental Menorah”. Every Menorah, regardless of the material from which it is formed, must conform to this definition. The components of the fundamental Menorah include its trunk and six branches. The fundamental Menorah does not include any decorative elements. The Menorah made from gold or any other metal must include all the components of the fundamental Menorah. If it is made of a metal other than gold, these are the only elements required. It must include only the components of the fundamental Menorah.  Therefore, decorative elements are not necessary. In fact, it also need not be formed from a single block.[7] This requirement is not included in the design of the fundamental Menorah.

V. The Gold Menorah

The gold Menorah is a subcategory of Menorah. Let’s understand the meaning of this statement. A silver, a copper, or an iron Menorah is not a subcategory of Menorah. These are just executions of the fundamental Menorah. No new requirements are added to the fundamental Menorah when it is executed in silver.  

In contrast, the gold Menorah is a true subcategory of Menorah. It is not just the fundamental Menorah rendered in gold. “Gold” is not just an adjective modifying Menorah. It is the Gold Menorah. Gold alters the identity of the Menorah and transforms it into a subcategory of Menorah. This subcategory of Gold Menorah includes all the requirements of the fundamental Menorah and its own specific requirements. These include decorative elements.  

VI. “A beaten work”: the fundamental Menorah

The requirement to form the Gold Menorah from a single block distinguishes between requirements imposed by the fundamental Menorah and requirements specific to the Gold Menorah. Those elements required to meet the definition of the fundamental Menorah must be formed from the single block. The decorative elements are required only because a Gold Menorah is being formed. These need not be formed from the single block.

Let us now return to the picture of the Menorah, above. How many Menorah’s are depicted in the picture? This seems like a silly question – one, of course! But let’s reconsider the issue from Ramban’s perspective. The picture features a model of a Menorah fashioned in gold.  This Menorah embodies the fundamental Menorah. This Menorah is expressed in its trunk and its branches. The picture embodies the Gold Menorah. This identity is expressed through its cones, spheres, and flowers. Two Menorahs are represented in the picture – the fundamental Menorah and the Gold Menorah. The elements of the fundamental Menorah are distinguished from the Gold Menorah by the requirement that they be formed though beating and trimming the block of gold.[8]  

VII. Meaning in details

We opened our discussion asking why the Torah provides detailed directions for the fabrication of the Mishcan and its components. Why were the details not left to the artisans? If an artisan is charged with the task, he or she will complete the design based upon efficient fabrication and artistic considerations. The Torah’s detailed instructions provide insight into the halachic structure of the Mishcan and its components.

Through the above analysis of a few of its halachot – laws – we discovered that creating the Menorah from gold transforms the fundamental Menorah into the Gold Menorah.  We uncovered the elements of the fundamental Menorah and the elements unique to the Gold Menorah. Finally, we identified the role of “beaten work” in distinguishing between the elements of the fundamental Menorah and the Gold Menorah.

[1] Rabbaynu Shlomo ben Yitzchak (Rashi), Commentary on Sefer Shemot 25:31.

[2] Rabbaynu Shlomo ben Yitzchak (Rashi), Commentary on Sefer Shemot 25:31.

[3] Mesechet Menachot 88b.

[4] Mesechet Menachot 28b.

[5] See Rabbaynu Moshe ben Maimon (Rambam / Maimonides) Mishne Torah, Hilchot Bait HaBechirah 3:3-4.

[6] Rabbaynu Moshe ben Nachman (Ramban / Nachmanides) Commentary on Sefer Shemot 25:31.

[7] See Rabbaynu Moshe ben Maimon (Rambam / Maimonides) Mishne Torah, Hilchot Bait HaBechirah 3:4.

[8] The Gold Menorah requires a higher level of perfection or workmanship. There are two ways in which this requirement is expressed. a) It includes mandatory decorative elements and b) It must be a formed from a single block of gold. Each of these perfections are imposed upon the fundamental Menorah. To require that the decorative elements be formed from the single block of gold would be to impose a perfection upon a perfection.