A central image this week is the seven branched menorah, which focuses our thoughts on the land of Israel.
The menorah is unusually botanical: “There were six branches stemming from its sides, each with three almond shaped calyxes with knob and flower.” (Exodus 25: 31-38 and 37: 17-24).
A plant native to Israel resembles the description of the menorah. Israeli botanist, Nogah Hareuveni explained that the Moriah (Salvia Palestina), mirrors the menorah with three stems emerging from each side of a central stem. This plant has knobs (gallnuts) which grow right from the stem, precisely like the knobs (kaftorim) of the menorah. Thus, the golden menorah was rooted in a real plant that grows in the Land of Israel.
While the menorah was stamped on the coins of ancient Israel, it is a powerful symbol of our rebirth. May creativity and light always flow from Israel!
