Menorah - Tree of Life and Added Insight - (3003)

History

Within the tradition of Kabbalah it is said that the first form of the "Tree of Life"was the Menorah or the candelabra of seven candles. It is said that it was Moses who first brought the tree of life to the people in the form of the Menorah. It is said that Moses chose the format of the Menorah because the people were largely illiterate.   

If we superimpose the menorah over a tree of life diagram you'll be able to see how the main features of the menorah match up with the various Sephiroth of the tree of life. 

The base of the menorah represents Malcuth and the very middle candle holder represents Kether. The three candle holders to the right represent the Sephiroth on the right hand side of the Tree of Life, namely: Chockmah, Chesed and Netzah. The candle holders on the left represent the Sephiroth of the left hand side of the Tree of Life, namely: Binah, Geburah and Hod.

The Sephiroth on the middle line of the Tree of Life are represented by the three joining nodes on the Menorah. The top joining node is Daath, the middle joining node is Tipereth and the bottom joining node is Jesod.

Insights on Malcuth

After this explanation we can quite easily see how the Menorah is really a version of the tree of life.

The Menorah version of the Tree of Life actually allows us some new insights into the tree of life which are not as forthcoming as from the tree of life diagram that we know in these modern times.

Looking at the menorah the most important part is the base right? If the base is broken or cracked the whole menorah will topple over. This shows us how important Malcuth is. The fall only occurs here in Malcuth, not in Hod, Netzah or Binah but here in Malcuth. Also from here in Malcuth - the base, the rest of the tree is fed. The bodies of Hod, Netzah and Tipereth are made here in Malcuth as well. Also all the forces, energies and influences from Sephira in the Tree of Life all condense down into Malcuth. It is the only Sephira that affects all others and collects from all others.

End (3003).