While the number of Cherubim was the same in the Temple as in the
Tabernacle, Solomon had, on the other hand, ten tables set up in the
Temple in place of the one fashioned by Moses. This was because the one
table sufficed to bring sustenance to Israel so long as they were
maintained by manna in the desert; but as the demand for food was
greater after they settled in the promised land, Solomon had ten tables
set up. But in the Temple also did the table of Moses retain its
ancient significance, for only upon it was the shewbread placed, and it
stood in the center, whereas the tables fashioned by Solomon stood five
to the south and five to the north. For from the south come "the dews
of blessing and the rains of plenty," while all evil comes from the
north; hence Solomon said: "The tables on the south side shall cause
the rains of plenty and the dews of blessing to come upon the earth,
while the tables on the north side shall keep off all evil from
Israel." [337]
Moses had great difficulty with the construction of the candlestick,
for although God had given him instructions about it, he completely
forgot these when he descended from heaven. He hereupon betook himself
to God once more to be shown, but in vain, for hardly had he reached
earth, when he again forgot. When he betook himself to God the third
time, God took a candlestick of fire and plainly showed him every
single detail of it, that he might now be able to reconstruct the
candlestick for the Tabernacle. When he found it still hard to form a
clear conception of the nature of the candlestick, God quieted him with
these words" "Go to Bezalel, he will do it aright." And indeed, Bezalel
had no difficulty in doing so, and instantly executed Moses'
commission. Moses cried in amazement: "God showed me repeatedly how to
make the candlestick, yet I could not properly seize the idea; but
thou, without having had it shown thee by God, couldst fashion it out
of thy own fund of knowledge. Truly dost thou deserve thy name Bezalel,
'in the shadow of God,' for thou dost act as if thou hadst been 'in the
shadow of God' while He was showing me the candlestick." [338]
The candlestick was later set up in the Temple of Solomon, and although
he set up ten other candlesticks, still this one was the first to be
lighted. Solomon chose the number ten because it corresponds to the
number of Words revealed on Sinai; and each of these candlesticks had
seven lamps, seventy in all, to correspond to the seventy nations. For
while these lamps burned the power of these nations was held in check,
but on the day on which these lamps are extinguished the power of the
nations is increased. [339] The candlestick stood toward the south, and
the table to the north of the sanctuary, the table to indicate the
delights of which the pious would partake in Paradise, which lies to
the north; the light of the candlestick to symbolize the light of the
Shekinah, for in the future world there will be but one delight, to
gaze at the light of the Shekinah. [340] On account of its sacredness
the candlestick was one of the five sacred objects that God concealed
at the destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar, and that He will
restore when in His loving-kindness He will erect His house and Temple.
These sacred objects are: the Ark, the candlestick, the fire of the
altar, the Holy Spirit of prophecy, and the Cherubim. [341]