We might be tempted to skip some of the descriptions of the Temple and its appurtenances; they are not as gripping as the stories the Torah tells. But if we pause and look a little deeper, there are metaphorical and mystical levels that can yield wonders.

The Menorah in the Temple is described with each branch bearing cups shaped like almond blossoms. Indeed, the Menorah has a kaneh (stem), kanim (branches), and perachim (flowers). In other words, the Menorah is an almond tree on which we kindle a flame.

The Hebrew name of the almond, shaked, is connected to the word for being awake. For the prophet Jeremiah, the almond tree symbolizes God’s wakefulness and watching over Israel: “The word of the Lord came to me: ‘What do you see, Jeremiah?’ ‘I see the branch of an almond tree (mikel shaked),’ I replied. The Lord said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I am watching (Shoked) to see that my word is fulfilled.’ Jer. 1:11,12)

God is not the only one who can demonstrate the attribute of alertness. At the very beginning of Exodus, Moses is wandering in the wilds of Midian. There, we are told (Ex. 3:3,4) that Moses turned aside to see a bush that was on fire but not consumed. The Torah tells us that “when God saw” that Moses turned aside, God called to him.

In other words, God wished to see that Moses was awake to the wonders of the world. Then it was clear that Moses was the chosen leader. Moses demonstrated the qualities of the almond, of shaked, wakefulness. Now, the flame bush of the wilderness has become the flame Menorah of the Temple. The fire that burned since the beginning of time is the eternal light which will burn until the end of time.

Recently on a trip to Rome, we visited the Arch of Titus, which depicts the menorah being taken by Roman soldiers. The arch was built following the destruction of the Temple to indicate the conquest of the Jewish nation. Today, we celebrate not only the reborn nation; on a spiritual level, we recall the bush “that was not consumed” and will never be consumed, for it represents the eternity of Israel and the sovereignty of God.