The story of the menorah, the candelabrum in the Tabernacle, as told in Bamidbar Rabbah 15, is a wild ride about just that. It's a reminder that even Moses, the ultimate receiver of divine wisdom, had his moments of "Wait, what?"

Rabbi Levi bar Rabbi starts us off: This wasn't just any menorah. A pure candelabrum, already perfect, descended from Heaven! God tells Moses, "Craft a candelabrum of pure gold" (Exodus 25:31). Simple, right?

Moses asks, "Okay, how exactly?" God replies, "The candelabrum shall be crafted hammered" (Exodus 25:31).

But here’s where it gets…interesting. Moses comes down from on high, and poof! He's forgotten the instructions. He goes back up. "How do I craft it?" he asks again. Same answer: hammered.

This happens multiple times. Up, down, forget, repeat. Finally, Moses throws his hands up (metaphorically, of course). "Master," he says, "I forgot it again!"

God, in His infinite patience, even shows him a fiery menorah, a visual aid straight from the source. Still, Moses struggles.

Can you imagine the frustration? You're Moses! You parted the Red Sea! You received the Ten Commandments! And you can't figure out a candelabrum!

Finally, God has an idea. "Go to Betzalel," He says, "and he will craft it."

Betzalel, the artisan, takes one look and immediately crafts it. No problem!

Moses is understandably bewildered. "I saw it multiple times, shown to me by God Himself, and I couldn't do it. But you, who didn't even see it, crafted it on your own? Betzalel, were you standing in God’s shadow [betzel El] when the Holy One showed me its crafting?" (There's a beautiful play on words here, as Betzalel's name literally means "in the shadow of God.")

What does this all mean? Was Moses just having an off day? Was Betzalel divinely inspired in a different way? Maybe it's a reminder that even the greatest leaders need help, that different people have different gifts. Or perhaps, as some commentators suggest, it highlights the importance of practical skill alongside divine revelation. Some things just need a craftsman's touch.

The story doesn't end there. It also tells us that when the Temple was destroyed, the menorah was sequestered, hidden away. Along with the Ark, the fire, the Divine Spirit (Shekhinah), and the cherubs. These five items, the very heart of the Temple, were taken out of our reach.

But there's hope. The story concludes with a promise. When God, in His mercy, rebuilds His Temple, He will restore these treasures to their place, bringing joy to Jerusalem. As the prophet Isaiah says, "Wilderness and wasteland will be glad; the desert will rejoice" (Isaiah 35:1); "It will blossom and rejoice" (Isaiah 35:2).

So, next time you're struggling with something, remember Moses and the menorah. Even the most brilliant among us need help sometimes. And remember that even in times of darkness, there's always the promise of restoration, of light returning to its rightful place.