What is Menorah (Temple)?
[[File:Menorah 0307.jpg|thumb|upright|A replica of the menorah by the [[:en:The Temple Institute|Temple Institute]]]] The '''menorah''' was an ancient lamp that accompanied the [[Israelites]] during their wanderings through the desert and later sat in their [[Temple in Jerusalem|Temple]]. It had seven branches (a center branch with three branches on each of its sides), and it was made of [[gold]]. [[Olive oil]] fed the menorah's flames. [[God]] commanded [[Moses]] to construct the menorah while Moses and the Israelites were wandering the desert (see [[Book of Numbers]] chapter 8). The menorah is associated with [[miracles]], such as the [[miracle of Hanukkah]]. During [[First Jewish-Roman War]], the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] destroyed the Temple and took its treasures, including the menorah. They took the menorah to [[Rome]] and displayed it throughout the city during a celebration of their victory over the Jewish rebels. Today, the menorah is featured in the present state of Israel's [[coat of arms]], and some Jewish places of worship contain replicas of the menorah. A nine-branch menorah is used during Hanukkah. <br /> {{religion-stub}} [[Category:History of Hanukkah]]