Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
I love the symbols of Christmas that teach and testify of Christ. One of these is light. In the Old Testament, the Menorah was the only source of light in the tabernacle, and its symbolism pointed Israel to Christ. In this video, we will briefly examine the Menorah's background and how it points us to Christ. Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah.
The Hebrew word menorah means “lampstand.” The King James Version of the Bible translates it as “candlestick.”
The original menorah was made for the tabernacle in the wilderness. It was made of solid gold and placed opposite the table of shewbread (see Exodus 25:31–37; 37:17–24). It had seven oil lamps that were level with each other—a central stem with three branches curving upward on either side. It burned only pure olive oil (see Exodus 27:20). The wicks had to be saturated with oil and regularly trimmed in order to burn brightly. An almond motif was used in its design, including almond-shaped bowls with almond blossoms.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2018/12/the-menorah?lang=eng)
Symbolism of the Menorah:
Alexander the Great and the Rise of Hellenism
“And when he [Alexander] had said this to Parmenion, and had given the high-priest his right hand, the priests ran along by him, and he came into the city. And when he went up into the temple, he offered sacrifice to God, according to the high-priest's direction, and magnificently treated both the high-priest and the priests.” (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, 11.336)
According to rabbinic tradition, the victorious Maccabees could only find a small jug of oil that had remained pure and uncontaminated by virtue of a seal, and although it only contained enough oil to sustain the Menorah for one day, it miraculously lasted for eight days, by which time further oil had been procured. During the era of the Hasmonean kingdom, Hanukkah was observed prominently and it acted as a "Hasmonean Independence Day" to commemorate the success of the revolt.
What happened to the Menorah
Historian Flavio Giuseppe recounts Tito’s triumphal entry to Rome after the victory in Israel, culminating in the destruction of the second Temple of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and among the objects brought to Rome, he also describes the famous seven-armed candelabrum. It is also carved into the Triumphal Arch erected at the foot of the Palatine Hill, the Arch of Tito (81-82 AD). It was then placed in the Temple of Peace built by Vespasian at the Forum. In the 5th century with the sack of Rome by the Vandals, all traces of the Menorah were lost.
The Menorah points us to Christ:
The Hebrew word menorah means “lampstand.” The King James Version of the Bible translates it as “candlestick.”
The original menorah was made for the tabernacle in the wilderness. It was made of solid gold and placed opposite the table of shewbread (see Exodus 25:31–37; 37:17–24). It had seven oil lamps that were level with each other—a central stem with three branches curving upward on either side. It burned only pure olive oil (see Exodus 27:20). The wicks had to be saturated with oil and regularly trimmed in order to burn brightly. An almond motif was used in its design, including almond-shaped bowls with almond blossoms.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2018/12/the-menorah?lang=eng)
Symbolism of the Menorah:
- The Menorah was the only source of light in the tabernacle. God is the source of light.
- The Savior said that His disciples “are the light of the world” and should not “put [their light] under a bushel, but on a candlestick” (Matthew 5:14–15). The Greek word translated as “candlestick” here is the same word translated from “menorah” in the Greek Old Testament (or Septuagint).
- In Jewish tradition, the menorah, with its treelike form and ornamentation, is often associated with the burning bush as well as the tree of life. And these are associated with the presence of the Lord (or the shechinah, the fiery pillar and cloud of His presence; see Bible Dictionary, “Shechinah”).
- The menorah has seven lamps. The number seven often represents wholeness, completeness, or perfection. It was also associated with covenants (the Hebrew word meaning “to swear an oath” is derived from the word for “seven”).
- Solomon’s temple had 10 menorahs (see 1 Kings 7:49). And a menorah was also found in the temples of Zerubbabel and Herod. The Roman emperor Titus carried away the menorah and other temple articles as spoils of victory over Judea in A.D. 71 (as depicted in the Arch of Titus in Rome).
- Zechariah saw a menorah in vision as an emblem of Israel’s restoration and the rebuilding of the temple (see Zechariah 4). And John saw seven golden menorahs in the Lord’s presence, representing seven ancient Christian churches he was addressing (see Revelation 1:12–13, 20). (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2018/12/the-menorah?lang=eng)
- Almond blossom - the word for ‘almond’ is also root of the word to be ‘diligent and hard-working’, because the tree blooms and produces fruit before any other tree – in the middle of winter. It is a metaphor for haste and determined work. Almond blossoms are a symbol of God’s determination to carry out his plans.
Alexander the Great and the Rise of Hellenism
- 338 BC – Alexander the Great begins his invasion of the Persian Empire. He begins the Hellenization of his new empire.
- Hellenization is the mixing of Greek culture with native culture.
- Upper-class citizens learn Koine Greek, seeking favor with the government.
- Merchants adopted Greek for increased access to trading.
- Mixing of religious beliefs. An emphasis on ecumenicalism or the belief that there should be closer cooperation between different denominations.
- For Alexander, it was more than cooperation – it was let’s all (including our gods) just get along.
- 175 BC - The Seleucid King Antiochus IV Epiphanes is offered a bribe to replace the Jewish high priest. Three years later gets a much larger bribe to again replace the high priest.
- 168 BC Antiochus launched a massive campaign of repression against the Jewish religion.
- Placed idols in Temple.
- Required Jews to eat pork.
- Jews to work on Sabbath.
“And when he [Alexander] had said this to Parmenion, and had given the high-priest his right hand, the priests ran along by him, and he came into the city. And when he went up into the temple, he offered sacrifice to God, according to the high-priest's direction, and magnificently treated both the high-priest and the priests.” (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, 11.336)
According to rabbinic tradition, the victorious Maccabees could only find a small jug of oil that had remained pure and uncontaminated by virtue of a seal, and although it only contained enough oil to sustain the Menorah for one day, it miraculously lasted for eight days, by which time further oil had been procured. During the era of the Hasmonean kingdom, Hanukkah was observed prominently and it acted as a "Hasmonean Independence Day" to commemorate the success of the revolt.
What happened to the Menorah
Historian Flavio Giuseppe recounts Tito’s triumphal entry to Rome after the victory in Israel, culminating in the destruction of the second Temple of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and among the objects brought to Rome, he also describes the famous seven-armed candelabrum. It is also carved into the Triumphal Arch erected at the foot of the Palatine Hill, the Arch of Tito (81-82 AD). It was then placed in the Temple of Peace built by Vespasian at the Forum. In the 5th century with the sack of Rome by the Vandals, all traces of the Menorah were lost.
The Menorah points us to Christ:
- Gives light. Jesus Christ said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). As we follow Jesus Christ and strive for purity, the Holy Ghost can be our constant companion and light our way.
- Overcomes darkness. As in the story of the underdog victory of the Maccabees, a small ray of light can overcome vast darkness.
- Requires purity. The menorah was solid gold and was meant to hold only pure olive oil, which “is sometimes a symbol for purity and for the Holy Spirit and its influence” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Oil,” scriptures.lds.org). Nothing impure can enter God’s kingdom (see 3 Nephi 27:19).
- Reminds us of God’s miracles. After the temple was cleansed in165 B.C., the temple lamps burned for eight days with only a single day’s worth of oil. Gazing at the Menorah reminds us of the miracles of daily life, including light itself.
- Represents making and keeping covenants. Our covenants can light our path through life, reminding us of our ultimate goal of returning to our Heavenly Father. As we honor our covenants and saturate our lives with thoughts, words, and deeds that invite the Spirit, we can receive strength from God and be a light to others.
- Represents wholeness and the Lord’s presence. If we repent and make and keep covenants, we can be made whole through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and, ultimately, enter the presence of our Heavenly Father again.
- A reminder that God will hasten His work. The symbolism of the almond blossoms reminds us of God’s determination to carry out his plans. God is determined to help us today and is lighting the way to our eternal home.