19 Terumah: Day 3 (Tuesday)

Today's reading is Exodus 25:31 to 26:14.

This is the link to Daily Chumash with Rashi at Chabad.

The Daily Wisdom from the Lubavitcher Rebbe is titled "How to Light Up the World."

On 17 February 2026 at 6:54 AM EST, Jonathan writes: 

 

There is much to study in the Menorah. Consider the discussion of Exodus 25:31 at Bible Hub.

“Make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. Make the entire lampstand and its decorations of one piece - the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals." (NLT)

Consider also the Wikipedia article on the Temple Menorah.

According to Chabad's interpretation of Exodus 25:37, which contrasts significantly with the interpretation for this verse provided by Bible Hub, the six branch lamps of the Menorah should focus their light on the central lamp. Should we understand this central lamp to mean Saturday, Sunday, or Wednesday? 

The Menorah certainly represents the divine light of the seven Noahide laws. Respect for the unity of God is the central light. Sexual responsibility and respect for human life are the next two lights. Constructive speech and philanthropic sharing are the fourth and fifth. Finally, kindness to animals and respect for courts of justice are the last two lights. For didactic purposes, we can arrange these as follows:

• Sunday | Sun | Respect for the Unity of God
• Monday | Moon | Sexual Responsibility
• Tuesday | Mars | Protection of Human Life
• Wednesday | Mercury | Constructive Speech
• Thursday | Jupiter | Philanthropic Sharing
• Friday | Venus | Kindness to Animals
• Saturday | Saturn | Respect for Courts of Justice

Here are some relevant verses in the Apostolic writings:

• Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
• John 8:12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."
• 1 John 1:5 And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
• Revelation 1:20 This is the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
• Revelation 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.

Shalom.