Both the Aron HaKodesh and the Mizbe'ach had rings and staves which were inserted into the rings, for carrying purposes. Why didn't the Menorah also have these rings and staves?
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2Welcome to MiYodeya and thanks for this first question. Please consider registering your account, to enable more site features, including voting. Hope to see you around!– mblochFeb 14, 2018 at 5:31
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IIRC the Aron could not be touched so it had to be carried this way. Why DID the mizbe'ach have rings?– rosendsFeb 14, 2018 at 11:08
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"Both the Aron HaKodesh and the Mizbe'ach": actually, if I recall correctly, both mizb'chos did, as well as the shulchan.– msh210 ♦Feb 14, 2018 at 12:30
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Yes, the shulchan did too. It's odd that the menorah doesn't have some indirect way of carrying it, like the others. I wonder if somebody carried it directly or if they made a box for it (not described) or what.– Monica CellioFeb 14, 2018 at 16:47
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This question inspired me to ask about the size of the menorah.– Monica CellioFeb 14, 2018 at 17:07
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1 Answer
My guess is that was was a technical issue; gravity.
The Menorah was 18 Tefachim high, if which the lower half was mainly a narrow stem.
Since the poles had to be low enough that when put on somebody's shoulder the bottom of the Menora would be above the ground, they would have had to be attached to the stem.
Trying to carry a top-heavy Menorah with 1 or 2 poles attached to the lower half of the Menora would mean it would have constantly been at risk of falling over (if you had the strength to lift it right way up in the first place).
answered Feb 14, 2018 at 9:41
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Also the Menorah had lots of good hand holds, unlike the cubical Mizbeach and aron– Double AA ♦Feb 14, 2018 at 12:31
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the arch of titus picture has the הַמֹּֽוט the carring stick on the bottom Feb 14, 2018 at 13:32
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@user16730 - I think you're confusing the chains around their necks for the rods - see padfield.com/italy/Rome_1/images/arch-of-titus-5.JPG for a hi-res picture Feb 14, 2018 at 13:36
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@user16730 Keep in mind that not everyone sees the depiction on the Arch of Titus as accurate. There's no reason to believe it's more accurate than Jewish sources.– ezraFeb 14, 2018 at 16:45
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