Shabbat Chanukah ✡ "The Menorah" - Israel365

“And what,” I asked him, “are those two olive trees, one on the right and one on the left of the menorah?” Zechariah 4:11 (The Israel Bible™)   וָאַעַן וָאֹמַר אֵלָיו מַה־שְּׁנֵי הַזֵּיתִים הָאֵלֶה עַל־יְמִין הַמְּנוֹרָה וְעַל־שְׂמֹאולָהּ זכריה ד:יא ve-a-en va-o-MAR ay-LAV mah sh-NAY ha-ZAY-teem ha-e-leh al ye-MEEN ha-me-no-RAH ve-al smo-LAH

Today's Israel Inspiration The menorah and olive branches depicted in Zechariah’s vision were chosen as the centerpieces of the State of Israel’s emblem.  According to its designers, the olive branches symbolize the state’s peaceful intentions.  The image of the menorah, copied from the Arch of Titus, attests to the link of the Jewish people with their glorious past in their homeland, and Israel’s return to its former luster.  There are perhaps no two better symbols to represent the Jewish people.  Oil, the most valuable commodity obtained from the olive, is extracted when pressure is applied.  In a similar fashion, the Jewish people are refined when faced with difficulty, whether through  persecution or the difficulties of day-to-day life. Though challenging, these hardships allow each individual to focus on what is truly important, become more sensitive to others and form a closer connection with Hashem.  It then follows that olive oil is used to light the menorah, representing clarity and wisdom for the entire world. Read more about Zechariah's vision » The Golden Menorah: Moving Closer to its Destination The golden menorah prepared by the Temple Institute is fit for use in the Holy Temple. It is located in the staircase leading from the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall Plaza where it overlooks the Temple Mount, site of the future Holy Temple.   Watch » Mount Zion Group Prepares Oil for Temple Menorah, Fulfilling Amos Prophecy on Jewish Land In preparation for the Third Temple, the nascent Sanhedrin and the United Temple Movement under the auspices of the Mount Zion Association annually prepares olive oil that is ritually pure and ready for use in the Temple, Read More » Plant an olive tree in the Land of Israel and illuminate the world.   PLANT NOW » Today's Israel Photo This lifesize replica of the Menorah which stood in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem stands proud in the Old City of Jerusalem.   See more photos by Yehoshua Halevi »  If you enjoy your Israel365 daily email newsletter, please consider donating to one of our causes or buying products from our store and blessing the Land and the People of Israel.   Thank You to our Israel365 Store Customers "Todah Rabbah" to Costantino Di B. from Australia; Sandra K. from New Mexico; Nathan P. from North Carolina; David C. from New York. Shop the Israel365 Store »  Thank You to our latest Tree Donors "Todah Rabbah" to Peggy H. from Texas; Carol T. from California; Roger T. from Italy; Andrew M. from Georgia. Plant Olive Trees in the Holy Land »   Thank You to Our Holocaust Campaign Donors "Todah Rabbah" to Mary S. from Illinois; Alfred & Rose B. from Canada; Cheryl B. from Ohio; Brian D. from Australia. Donate to Holocaust Survivors Now »  Thank You Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel!   Sponsor a day in honor of a loved one » “Blessings From Queensland” It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send me an email and let me know how you are enjoying Israel365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).   Stay in Touch » Always good to Read positive happenings. Blessings from Queensland. Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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