Portion Vayakhel
"And he made the menorah of pure gold ... Six out of her arms and three branches of the Menorah on one side and three branches Menorah on the other side ". (37, 17-18)
Menorah in the Temple had seven branches, three branches on the right of the middle candle, and three branches from the left side. Many people mistakenly think that the six arms menorah connected to middle candle would go up half a circle, in the form of arches. This mistake is also among the Torah scholars, they are sure this is a form of menorah. What this is a serious mistake; originating painting menorah appears on "Arch of Titus" Damn his name and remembers, at Rome. As is known, after Titus destroyed the Second Temple, he took with him to Rome Temple vessels, and to post the victory, drew Menorah similar - but not quite - the one taken from the temple.
The true and accurate form of the menorah, were six branches coming out of the middle candle, three rights and three left, drawn up in diagonal - Straight line and do not Curved. Titus in his painting, imitating the look of menorah in general, but "embellishing" rounded shape.
Maimonides himself painted in his book the menorah and the branches of the menorah are diagonal. His son Rabbi Abraham testified and said that this painting is very accurate. Even Rashi, in his interpretation of the Torah wrote: "Six branches diagonally drawn up".
Must be published whenever possible the true shape of the menorah as was the temple, put an end to phony imitation unfortunately also penetrated the synagogue.
