72-570: The Herodian Quarter – Wohl Archaeological Museum is an underground archaeological site and museum situated in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem . It exhibits lavish residencies that reflect the high standard of living among the affluent inhabitants of Jerusalem's Upper City during the late Second Temple Period and up until the city's destruction in 70 CE. Among the exhibits are five residential buildings dating back to
144-494: A Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and that will contain both locational information and a combination of various information. This tool is very helpful to archaeologists who want to explore in a different area and want to see if anyone else has done research. They can use this tool to see what has already been discovered. With this information available, archaeologists can expand their research and add more to what has already been found. Traditionally, sites are distinguished by
216-489: A central rosette pattern. From there, visitors could explore the fresco room to the right or the opulent Reception Room to the left, adorned with stuccoed walls and ceiling, an interior design for which there is comparative material in Pompeii , but without any human or animal figures. The entrance to the reception hall displays charred wooden beams of the roof, which collapsed onto the mosaic floor, destroyed in fierce fire at
288-555: A continually lit lamp or light in front of the Torah ark , where the Torah scroll is kept, called the ner tamid (eternal light). This lamp represents the continually lit ner Elohim of the menorah used in Temple times. In addition, many synagogues display either a menorah or an artistic representation of a menorah. A menorah appears in the Emblem of Israel , based on the depiction of
360-483: A double doorway and mosaic-paved entrance porch, indicative of its grandeur. The southern building features rooms encircling a central courtyard and a basement beneath, mirroring the architectural layout of the Palatial Mansion. Before entering the ritual baths, individuals would wash their feet in the pierced stone basins found here. The southern building has been preserved in its discovered state. One of
432-505: A light or lamp (e.g. Psalms 119:105; Psalms 119:130; cf. Proverbs 6:23). In the Eastern Orthodox Church the use of the menorah has been preserved, always standing on or behind the altar in the sanctuary. Though candles may be used, the traditional practice is to use olive oil in the seven-lamp lampstand. There are varying liturgical practices, and usually all seven lamps are lit for the services, though sometimes only
504-468: A nine-branched variant of the menorah, is closely associated with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah . The Hebrew Bible states that God revealed the design for the menorah to Moses and describes the construction of the menorah as follows: Make a lampstand of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. Six branches are to extend from
576-683: A sequence of natural geological or organic deposition, in the absence of human activity, to constitute a site worthy of study. Archaeological sites usually form through human-related processes but can be subject to natural, post-depositional factors. Cultural remnants which have been buried by sediments are, in many environments, more likely to be preserved than exposed cultural remnants. Natural actions resulting in sediment being deposited include alluvial (water-related) or aeolian (wind-related) natural processes. In jungles and other areas of lush plant growth, decomposed vegetative sediment can result in layers of soil deposited over remains. Colluviation ,
648-709: A single block of solid gold, with decorations based on the depiction of the original in the Arch of Titus and the Temple Institute's interpretation of the relevant religious texts. A menorah appeared on the cap badge of the First Judeans of the Jewish Legion (1919–1921). Sometimes when teaching learners of the Hebrew language , a chart shaped like the seven-lamp menorah is used to help students remember
720-412: A site as well. Development-led archaeology undertaken as cultural resources management has the disadvantage (or the benefit) of having its sites defined by the limits of the intended development. Even in this case, however, in describing and interpreting the site, the archaeologist will have to look outside the boundaries of the building site. According to Jess Beck in "How Do Archaeologists Find Sites?"
792-453: A site worthy of study. Different archaeologists may see an ancient town, and its nearby cemetery as being two different sites, or as being part of the same wider site. The precepts of landscape archaeology attempt to see each discrete unit of human activity in the context of the wider environment, further distorting the concept of the site as a demarcated area. Furthermore, geoarchaeologists or environmental archaeologists would also consider
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#1732775447249864-433: A style found in Pompeii , also featuring remnants of collapsed wooden beams, evidence of the city's destruction. Numerous smaller discoveries were unearthed, with stone vessels standing out due to their immunity to ritual impurity under Jewish law . Luxurious imported items like terra sigillata ware and Phoenician goods, such as cosmetics and perfumes, were also uncovered. In instances where significant artifacts, like
936-649: A symbol closely associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah . According to the Talmud , after the Seleucid desecration of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem , there was only enough sealed (and therefore not desecrated) consecrated olive oil left to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was enough time to make new pure oil. The Talmud states that it
1008-785: A symbol representing the Jewish people and Judaism in both the Land of Israel and the Diaspora . It eventually became the State of Israel 's official emblem after its founding in 1948. According to the Hebrew Bible, the menorah was made out of pure gold , and the only source of fuel that was allowed to be used to light the lamps was fresh olive oil . The menorah was placed in the Tabernacle . Biblical tradition holds that Solomon's Temple
1080-623: A total of 66 units, which Conner claims is a picture of the Protestant canon of scripture (containing 66 books). Moreover, Conner notes that the total decorative units on the shaft and three branches equate to 39 (the number of Old Testament books within Protestant versions of the Bible); and the units on the remaining three branches come to 27 (the number of New Testament books). Conner connects this to Bible passages that speak of God's word as
1152-500: Is a branch of survey becoming more and more popular in archaeology, because it uses different types of instruments to investigate features below the ground surface. It is not as reliable because although they can see what is under the surface of the ground, it does not produce the best picture. Archaeologists still have to dig up the area in order to uncover the truth. There are also two most common types of geophysical survey, which is, magnetometer and ground penetrating radar. Magnetometry
1224-412: Is a place (or group of physical sites) in which evidence of past activity is preserved (either prehistoric or historic or contemporary), and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology and represents a part of the archaeological record . Sites may range from those with few or no remains visible above ground, to buildings and other structures still in use. Beyond this,
1296-612: Is a seven-lamp oil lamp lit to represent the seven stars of the Northern Dipper . This lampstand is a requirement for all Taoist temples, never to be extinguished. In the first 9 days of the lunar 9th month festival, an oil lamp of nine connected lamps may also be lit to honour both the Northern Dipper and two other assistant stars (collectively known as the Nine Emperor Stars), sons of Dou Mu appointed by
1368-493: Is called a hanukkiah in Modern Hebrew . This is alluded to in the verses: "Though I walk through the valley of the deepest darkness, I will fear no evil, because You are with me" and "because even if I have fallen, I will rise again; even if I feel in the darkness, Hashem is my light. "Let the light of Divinity perceptions descend into the depths of "darkness ", into "the valley of the deepest darkness", to illuminate
1440-546: Is frequently used as a symbol in Jewish art . There are no representations of the menorah from the First Temple period , but some examples dating from the Second Temple period have been recorded. Menorah images that were discovered include the coins of Antigonus II Mattathias , the last Hasmonean king of Judea, as well as on the walls of an Upper City mansion and Jason's Tomb in Jerusalem, and objects such as
1512-699: Is in itself a negative element, that is, it does not give the hope of obtaining complete devotion: "darkness" is like an inaccessible place, darkness conceals the depth of the gaze; in Chassidut an awakening from below is the "service" for God, i.e. the Avodah . During the victory of the Kedushah in Hanukkah, the Kohen Gadol almost declared that divine light must triumph. When the risk of "fall" can do
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#17327754472491584-510: Is prohibited to use a seven-lamp menorah outside of the Temple. A Hanukkah menorah therefore has eight main branches, plus the raised ninth lamp set apart as the shamash (servant) light which is used to kindle the other lights. The word shamash was not originally a "Hanukkah word" and only became associated with the holiday in the 16th century although it first appeared in the Mishnah (c. 200 C.E.) and Talmud (c. 500 C.E.). This type of menorah
1656-614: Is saying. According to Clement of Alexandria and Philo Judaeus , the seven lamps of the golden menorah represented the seven classical planets in this order: the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. It is also said to symbolize the burning bush as seen by Moses on Mount Horeb . Kevin Conner has noted of the original menorah, described in Exodus 25, that each of
1728-565: Is that… the Menorah was on the southern side [of the Temple]." The seven lamps allude to the branches of human knowledge , represented by the six lamps inclined inwards towards, and symbolically guided by, the light of God represented by the central lamp. The menorah also symbolizes the creation in seven days, with the center light representing the Sabbath . A nine-branched menorah is also
1800-629: Is the technique of measuring and mapping patterns of magnetism in the soil. It uses an instrument called a magnetometer, which is required to measure and map traces of soil magnetism. The ground penetrating radar is a method that uses radar pulses to image the subsurface. It uses electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band of the radio spectrum and detects the reflected signals from subsurface structures. There are many other tools that can be used to find artifacts, but along with finding artifacts, archaeologists have to make maps. They do so by taking data from surveys, or archival research and plugging it into
1872-465: The Herodian period , believed to have been inhabited by priestly families , complete with ritual baths , bathhouses, and household items. The wall paintings and architectural elements are designed according to Hellenistic and Roman styles . The "Palatial Mansion" stands out with its multi-level layout surrounding a central courtyard. This grand residence includes an ornate reception area decorated in
1944-784: The Israelites crossed the Jordan River . When the tabernacle tent was pitched in Shiloh , it is assumed that the menorah was also present. However, no mention is made of it during the years that the Ark of the Covenant was moved in the times of Samuel and Saul . According to 2 Kings and the Books of Chronicles , Solomon created ten lampstands ("menorahs"), that were put in the heikal, Solomon's Temple main chamber. The weight of
2016-680: The Magdala stone . Following the destruction of the Second Temple, the menorah came to be recognized as a distinctively Jewish symbol and was depicted on tomb walls, synagogue floors, sculptures and reliefs, as well as glass and metal objects. The menorah has been also used since then to distinguish synagogues and Jewish cemeteries from the places of worship and cemeteries of Christians and pagans . The symbol has also been found in several archaeological artifacts from ancient Samaritan , Christian and Islamic communities. The Hanukkah menorah ,
2088-708: The Old City of Jerusalem , and in Magdala (on the Magdala Stone ). The use of menorahs in Jewish art and in particular in Jewish funerary art became much more common in the late Roman and Byzantine periods. The menorah was a distinctive symbol of Samaritan identity during the Byzantine and Islamic periods. Repurposed stone menorah reliefs, some with accompanying plant decorations, have been found in contemporary structures in several villages of ancient Samaria , including Qariyet Hajjah , Kafr Abbush , Kafr Zibad , Kafr Qaddum and Kafr Jit . Synagogues have
2160-724: The Temple of Peace in Rome , or in the Imperial Palace. It was still there when the city was sacked by Vandals in 455 CE. The location and state of the Menorah following the Vandal sack of Rome remains a mystery. Many scholars assume that at this point the Menorah left Rome for Carthage and further destinations, but some believe that the Menorah remains in Rome to this day. The objects that were crafted, and then hidden away are these:
2232-532: The Tyropoeon Valley and then ascending again onto the Temple Mount. The Palatial Mansion comprised two levels. The ground floor served as living quarters, while the lower level housed storerooms and water installations. Four miqva'ot , Jewish ritual baths , were discovered within the mansion. Accessible from the west, the entrance led to a vestibule featuring a well-preserved mosaic floor with
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2304-650: The menorah graffiti and a unique glass vessel by the Sidonian artist Aniyon, were relocated to the Israel Museum , replicas and photographs are showcased. Discovered during the post- Six-Day War reconstruction of the Jewish Quarter, these ancient mansions were excavated by an archaeological team led by Nahman Avigad between 1969 and 1983. The museum, located beneath the Yeshivat HaKotel ,
2376-688: The Talmud, the miracle of the ner hama'aravi ended after the High Priesthood of Simon the Just in the 3rd or 4th century BC. Contrary to some modern designs, the ancient menorah burned oil and did not contain anything resembling candles , which were unknown in the Middle East until about 400 CE. The original menorah was made for the tabernacle , and the Bible records it as being present until
2448-620: The Taoist Trinity (the Three Pure Ones) to hold the Books of Life and Death of humanity. The lamps represent the illumination of the 7 stars, and lighting them are believed to absolve sins while prolonging one's lifespan. The menorah features prominently in the 2013 crypto-thriller The Sword of Moses by Dominic Selwood . It is also featured in the archaeology novels Crusader Gold , by David Gibbins , The Last Secret of
2520-462: The Temple menorah during the period when it was still in the Temple . It seems to have been crafted by a local priest who had knowledge of the Temple artifacts. The menorah graffiti is today on display in the Israel Museum , Jerusalem. The Herodian Quarter was opened to visitors during Sukkot of 1988 following extensive restoration work. In 2024, the museum reopened after a two-year renovation costing around 5 million dollars. The project included
2592-590: The absence of other water sources, rainwater was collected and stored in cisterns . The "Palatial Mansion", situated on the eastern slope of the Upper City near the Temple Mount's southwest corner, was an expansive structure, covering an area of 600 square meters. Its proximity to the Royal Bridge facilitated direct access to the Temple Mount for priests, eliminating the need of first descending into
2664-684: The archaeological remains. The museum is located at 1, HaKara'im Street ('Street of the Karaites ') in the Old City. It is part of the combined ticket for the Jewish Quarter, including sites such as the Burnt House, the Temple Institute , and the Hurva Synagogue . 31°46′30.7″N 35°13′55.7″E / 31.775194°N 35.232139°E / 31.775194; 35.232139 Archaeological site An archaeological site
2736-583: The area, and if they have the money and time for the site, they can start digging. There are many ways to find sites, one example can be through surveys. Surveys involve walking around analyzing the land and looking for artifacts. It can also involve digging, according to the Archaeological Institute of America, "archaeologists actively search areas that were likely to support human populations, or in places where old documents and records indicate people once lived." This helps archaeologists in
2808-573: The areas with numerous artifacts are good targets for future excavation, while areas with a small number of artifacts are thought to reflect a lack of past human activity. Many areas have been discovered by accident. The most common people who have found artifacts are farmers who are plowing their fields or just cleaning them up, and they often find archaeological artifacts. Many people who are out hiking and even pilots find artifacts, and they usually end up reporting them to archaeologists for further investigation. When they find sites, they have to first record
2880-428: The burial of a site by sediments moved by gravity (called hillwash ) can also happen at sites on slopes. Human activities (both deliberate and incidental) also often bury sites. It is common in many cultures for newer structures to be built atop the remains of older ones. Urban archaeology has developed especially to deal with these sorts of site. Many sites are the subject of ongoing excavation or investigation. Note
2952-428: The definition and geographical extent of a "site" can vary widely, depending on the period studied and the theoretical approach of the archaeologist. It is almost invariably difficult to delimit a site. It is sometimes taken to indicate a settlement of some sort, although the archaeologist must also define the limits of human activity around the settlement. Any episode of deposition, such as a hoard or burial, can form
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3024-430: The depiction on the Arch of Titus, which could possibly have been carved by an eyewitness to the actual menorah present at the time in the Temple at Jerusalem. This menorah has arms which are polygonal, not rounded, and the base is not graduated but triangular. It is notable, however, that this artifact was found a significant distance from Jerusalem and the Arch of Titus has often been interpreted as an eyewitness account of
3096-494: The difference between archaeological sites and archaeological discoveries. Temple menorah The menorah ( / m ə ˈ n ɔː r ə / ; Hebrew : מְנוֹרָה mənōrā , pronounced [menoˈʁa] ) is a seven-branched candelabrum that is described in the Hebrew Bible and in later ancient sources as having been used in the Tabernacle and in the Temple in Jerusalem . Since ancient times, it has served as
3168-420: The future. In case there is no time or money during the site's discovery, archaeologists can come back and visit the site for further digging to find out the extent of the site. Archaeologist can also sample randomly within a given area of land as another form of conducting surveys. Surveys are very useful, according to Jess Beck, "it can tell you where people were living at different points in the past." Geophysics
3240-552: The height of the First Jewish–Roman War . Its fate is recorded by Josephus, who states that it was brought to Rome and carried along during the triumph of Vespasian and Titus . The bas relief on the Arch of Titus in Rome depicts a scene of Roman soldiers carrying away the spoils of the Second Temple, including the menorah. For centuries, the menorah and the other temple treasures were displayed as war trophies either at
3312-470: The lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. The buds and branches shall be all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold. Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. Its wick trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold. A talent of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories. See that you make them according to
3384-431: The lampstands (plural) when he pillaged the Temple. The later record of the making of "new holy vessels" may refer to the manufacture of new lampstands. According to the Talmud , the returning Hasmoneans were poor and forced to construct the Menorah out of wood. They later upgraded it to silver and ultimately gold. The menorah from the Second Temple was carried to Rome after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE at
3456-611: The lampstands forms part of the detailed instructions given to Solomon by David . According to the Book of Jeremiah , the lampstands were taken away by the Babylonian general Nebuzaradan following the destruction of Jerusalem . During the construction of the Second Temple following the Return to Zion , no mention is made of the return of the menorah but only of "vessels." The book of Maccabees records that Antiochus IV took away
3528-628: The loss of faith in the Jewish religion as the abyss of Israel's personal and collective identity, the Kohen Gadol thus insists for the "awakening" of the most distant souls in order to direct them with Kavanah towards the fulfillment of the Mitzvot : ...because the Torah is the light and the Mitzvah is a lamp . The New Testament Book of Revelation refers to a mystery of seven golden lampstands representing seven churches. The messages to
3600-626: The lowest, so that even that light and consciousness of Divinity reaches them, so that He can heal and correct them to return them to Him. In Kabbalah Or Panim ("the light of the Face") is a fundamental conception for the process called Tikkun . All the Kavvanot , the spiritual measures of faith for the realization of the Kingdom of God, focus on the manifestation of the Or Panim ; actually darkness
3672-421: The menorah , the curtain [that partitioned the holy from the holy-of-holies], and the head-plate are still sitting in Rome. The menorah symbolized the ideal of universal enlightenment. The idea that the menorah symbolizes wisdom is noted in the Talmud, for example, in the following: "Rabbi Isaac said: He who desires to become wise should incline to the south [when praying]. The symbol [by which to remember this]
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#17327754472493744-460: The menorah on the Arch of Titus. The Temple Institute has created a life-sized menorah, designed by goldsmith Chaim Odem, intended for use in a future Third Temple . The Jerusalem Post describes the menorah as made "according to excruciatingly exacting Biblical specifications and prepared to be pressed into service immediately should the need arise." The menorah is made of one talent (interpreted as 45 kg) of 24 karat pure gold, hammered out of
3816-593: The menorah was placed in the antechamber of the Temple sanctuary, over against its southernmost wall, the Talmud ( Menahot 98b) brings down a dispute between two scholars on whether or not the menorah was situated north to south, or east to west. The branches are often artistically depicted as semicircular, but Rashi , (according to some contemporary readings) and Maimonides (in a sketch commented on by his son Avraham ), held that they were straight; all other Jewish authorities, both classical (e.g. Philo and Josephus) and medieval (e.g. Ibn Ezra), who express an opinion on
3888-431: The meticulous reconstruction of remaining home structures and the restoration of mosaics. An innovative lighting and audio system was installed, along with immersive multimedia displays featuring holograms and animations. Visitors can experience a simulated walk towards the Temple Mount from the perspective of historical residents, with suspended glass walkways providing close access to the ancient homes without compromising
3960-531: The most notable discoveries in the Herodian Quarter was a graffiti depiction of a seven-armed menorah , composed of two sections each about 25 × 15 cm. The menorah's shape is largely intact, with the showbread table visible to the right, positioned beneath the incense altar. This discovery marks the first instance of a menorah featuring decorated branches and what appear to be light fixtures with lights on. The graffiti, incised on stucco , depicts
4032-428: The original menorah being looted from the temple in Jerusalem. According to the Book of Exodus , the lamps of the menorah were lit daily from fresh, consecrated olive oil and burned from evening until morning. Josephus states that three of the seven lamps were allowed to burn during the day also; however, according to one opinion in the Talmud , only the center lamp was left burning all day, into which as much oil
4104-406: The pattern shown you on the mountain. The Book of Numbers (Chapter 8) adds that the seven lamps are to give light in front of the lampstand and reiterates that the lampstand was made in accordance with the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain. Rabbinic sources teach that the menorah stood 18 handbreadths/palms (three common cubits ) high, or approximately 1.62 metres (5.3 ft). Although
4176-471: The presence of both artifacts and features . Common features include the remains of hearths and houses. Ecofacts , biological materials (such as bones, scales, and even feces) that are the result of human activity but are not deliberately modified, are also common at many archaeological sites. In the cases of the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic eras, a mere scatter of flint flakes will also constitute
4248-598: The role of the binyanim of the Hebrew verb . The menorah is the main element in several Holocaust memorials . The kinara is also, like the menorah, a seven candleholder which is associated with the African American festival of Kwanzaa . One candle is lit on each day of the week-long celebration, in a similar manner as the Hannukah menorah. In Taoism , the Seven-Star Lamp qi xing deng 七星燈
4320-417: The ruins of a synagogue in Magdala with pottery dating from before the destruction of the Second Temple were discovered under land owned by the Legionaries of Christ , who had intended to construct a center for women's studies. Inside that synagogue's ruins, a carved stone block was discovered, which had on its surface, among other ornate carvings, a depiction of the seven-lamp menorah differing markedly from
4392-409: The seven churches from Jesus Christ found have at least four applications: (1) a local application to the specific cities and believers in the church; (2) to all the churches of all generations; (3) a prophetic application unveiling seven distinct phases of church history from the days of the apostle John until today; (4) a personal application to individual believers who have ears to hear what the Spirit
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#17327754472494464-401: The sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. And on the lampstand are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from
4536-418: The six tributary branches coming out of the main shaft was decorated with three sets of "cups... shaped like almond blossoms... a bulb and a flower..." (Exodus 25:33, NASB). This would create three sets of three units on each branch, a total of nine units per branch. The main shaft, however, had four sets of blossoms, bulbs and flowers, making a total of twelve units on the shaft (Exodus 25:34). This would create
4608-427: The subject state that the arms were round. The Roman-Jewish historian Josephus , who witnessed the Temple's destruction, says that the menorah was actually situated obliquely, to the east and south. The most famous preserved representation of the menorah of the Second Temple was depicted in a frieze on the Arch of Titus , commemorating his triumphal parade in Rome following the destruction of Jerusalem in
4680-401: The tent of meeting and the vessels contained therein, the ark and the broken tablets, the container of manna, and the flask of anointing oil, the stick of Aaron and its almonds and flowers, the priestly garments, and the garments of the anointed [high] priest. But, the spice-grinder of the family of Avtinas [used to make the unique incense in the Temple], the [golden] table [of the showbread],
4752-424: The three centermost are lit for the lesser services. If the church does not have a sanctuary lamp the centermost lamp of the seven lamps may remain lit as an eternal flame . The use of the temple menorah as an artistic decoration during the Second Temple period and up to the Bar Kokhba revolt is quite rare. Examples were uncovered in burial caves near Mukhmas (ancient Michmas ), in the Herodian Quarter in
4824-419: The time of destruction. The courtyard led to the rooms of the eastern wing, including a preserved bathroom with a simple mosaic floor, also devoid of figures, likely preceding access to two hidden mikvehs (ritual baths). A staircase in the courtyard's northern side descended to the basement level, featuring a vestibule granting access to a large vaulted storeroom and two additional mikvehs. One mikveh boasted
4896-482: The year 70 CE. In that frieze, the menorah is shown resting upon a hexagonal base, which in turn rests upon a slightly larger but concentric and identically shaped base; a stepwise appearance on all sides is thus produced. Each facet of the hexagonal base was made with two vertical stiles and two horizontal rails, a top rail and a bottom rail, resembling a protruding frame set against a sunken panel. These panels have some relief design set or sculpted within them. In 2009,
4968-425: Was home to ten menorahs, which were later plundered by the Babylonians ; the Second Temple is also said to have been home to a menorah. Following the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 CE, the menorah was taken to Rome ; the Arch of Titus , which still stands today, famously depicts the menorah being carried away by the triumphant Romans along with other spoils of the destroyed temple. The menorah
5040-416: Was opened to visitors in 1988 after extensive restoration work. In 2024, the museum was reopened after two years of renovation works. Within the museum's confines lie the remnants of six residences dating back to the Herodian period. Each residence was structured around a central courtyard and likely spanned two, if not three, levels. These houses had several baths, both for ritual and everyday use. Due to
5112-462: Was put as into the others. Although all the other lights were extinguished, that light continued burning oil, in spite of the fact that it had been kindled first. This miracle, according to the Talmud, was taken as a sign that the Shechinah rested among Israel. It was called the ner hama'aravi (Western lamp) because of the direction of its wick. This lamp was also referred to as the ner Elohim (lamp of God), mentioned in I Samuel 3:3. According to
5184-515: Was reportedly taken to Carthage by the Vandals after the sacking of Rome in 455. Byzantine historian Procopius reported that the Byzantine army recovered it in 533 and brought it to Constantinople , then later returned it to Jerusalem, but many other theories have been advanced for its eventual fate, and no clear evidence of its location has been recorded since late antiquity . The menorah
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