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> Exodus/Shemot > Parshat Terumah
> Terumah Essay
Terumah: A Menorah Just Like They Used to Make
This week's portion speaks of making a sanctuary for G-d.
The Gemara in
Megilah (29) states that a Shul is a small sanctuary. However, the
Gemara RH 24) elsewhere states that we should not make an exact
replica
of the Menorah, the old table, or the sanctuary itself. If it is not an
exact replica it is OK. The original Menorah was very elaborate and
would be hard to replicate. However, the Menorah used by the Macabbees
simply had 7 metal poles. One could not make a metal seven branched
Menorah, but a 5 or 8 branch menorah would be fine, and out of wood one
could make even a 7 branch menorah.
Another way to allow Menorah replicas is if it has no base. The original
had to have a trunk or a base. If it is not a kosher Menorah, one may
make it today. Most authorities say that electric menorahs are also OK
since they are not like the original.
What is the source for this prohibition? Some say that it stems from the
prohibition of making replicas of things from the heavens. Since there
is a Jerusalem above and a Jerusalem below, the Menorah is a heavenly
body of sorts. Maimonides writes that making replicas of the items of
the Beit Hamikdash, the Holy Temple, shows a lack of awe for the Holy
Temple. We are commanded to be in awe of the Temple. If the problem is
replicating the heavens, then in order to violate the prohibition, it
needs to be a kosher Menorah. If the problem is giving special
recognition to the Holy Temple of old then perhaps even a Menorah
evocative of the old Temple would be forbidden.
What's the big deal about making replicas of the Temple? After all, the
Shul is a "mini Temple," in the words of the Gemara! The answer
is that,
as any art aficionado can attest to, it is important to recognize
the
difference between what is real and authentic and that which is a
mere
replica. We do the best we can here in Memphis to build a small
sanctuary. But ultimately, we need to know that it is not the ultimate,
it is not the real thing. We look forward one day to experience the
holiness of the sanctuary, in the original.
(Based on an experpt from "Mikdash Meat" by Rabbi Zalman Druck.) |
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