THE 11 MENOROT OF KING SOLOMON The Holy Temple that King Solomon built was very similar to the Tabernacle (משכן) in its basic layout, albeit on a much larger scale. One very significant difference, however, was the fact that Solomon added an additional ten Menorot, as well as an additional ten Tables of the Showbread, which stood in the Kodesh Sanctuary. Altogether there were eleven Menorot and eleven Tables of the Showbread. The Menorot stood along the southern side of the Sanctuary and the Tables of the Showbread stood along the northern side. In the middle stood the golden Incense Altar. Our sages teach us that the these additional vessels reflected a heightened level of consciousness and holiness that existed throughout Solomons reign. The painting shows, on the right, (northern side) of the Sanctuary, kohanim replacing the twelve showbread loaves. The loaves were replaced once a week on Shabbat. At the same time two incense censers containing frankincense were also place upon the table(s). On the left, (southern side), a kohen can be seen lighting the seven lamps of the Menorah, which was done every morning as part of the Daily Tamid service. In the center a kohen can be seen placing ketoret incense on the golden altar. Tow other kohanim can be seen prostrating themselves in front the the parochet curtain which separates the Kodesh from the Kodesh HaKodeshim, the Holy of Holies.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 05:36:17 +0000
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