Another matter, “toward the front of the candelabrum, the seven lamps shall illuminate” – you must not demean the candelabrum.3Do not think that the candelabrum is superfluous since God does not need the light. That is: “For who scorns the day of small things? They will rejoice and see the tin lump of the plumb line in the hand of Zerubavel. These seven…” (Zechariah 4:10).
“These” – these are the candelabrum. “Seven,” – these are the seven lamps, corresponding to the seven planets that “rove throughout the earth” (Zechariah 4:10). They are so dear, you must not demean them. This is why it is stated: “Toward the front of the candelabrum, the seven lamps shall illuminate” – so your inclination will not mislead you to say that He needs the light.
See what is written regarding the windows: “There were narrowing windows for the cells and for their pillars from within…and likewise for the halls…like those windows [kehaḥalonot]” (Ezekiel 40:16, 25). Kaḥalonot is not written here, but rather kehaḥalonot,4This is an allusion to the fact that they shall be opaque (kehot), that light would not enter through them. that they shall be wide from without and narrow from within, so they can cause the light to emerge outward.
Rabbi Berekhya HaKohen said in the study hall of Rabbi: This lightning is a product of the supernal fire, and it emerges and illuminates the entire world, as it is stated: “The likeness of the creatures, their appearance was like fiery coals, burning like the appearance of torches…and from the fire, lightning would emerge” (Ezekiel 1:13), and illuminate the entire world, and I need your light? Why, then, did I say it to you?
It is in order to elevate you. Rabbi Ḥanina said: The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘The eyes that you possess have in them white and black, and you do not see through the white, but rather, through the black. If your eyes, that have in them black and white, you see only through the black, the Holy One blessed be He, who is completely light, does He need your light?’ Another matter, “toward the front of the candelabrum” – flesh and blood kindles from a kindled lamp.
Could he, perhaps, kindle from darkness? It is stated: “Darkness upon the face of the deep” (Genesis 1:2). What is written thereafter? “God said: Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). [God said:] ‘From the darkness I produced light, and I need your light? I said it to you only to elevate you: “to kindle a lamp continually”’ (Exodus 27:20).