How One Priest Arranges All Seven Lamps of the Menorah

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 378:10

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"Aaron and his sons shall arrange it" (Exodus 27:21). What does this teaching come to say? Since it is said, "toward the face of the menorah the seven lamps shall give light" (Numbers 8:2), one might think a single priest enters to tend all seven lamps. Therefore the text says, "Aaron and his sons shall arrange." How then? Aaron and his sons arrange only one [each tends his own]. And since it is said, "the seven lamps shall give light," I might hear that they should burn forever. Therefore the text says, "from evening until morning" (Exodus 27:21). If from evening until morning, one might think he may extinguish them [by morning]. Therefore the text says, "the seven lamps shall give light." How then? "The seven lamps shall give light" from evening until morning. "Before the LORD continually" (Exodus 27:21) means that the western lamp shall be constant, for from it the menorah is kindled at twilight.

Themes

TemplePriesthoodCommandments

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