smooth, and one
hand-breadth a knop, and two branches proceeded from it, one on either
side, and two hand-breadths were smooth, and one hand-breadth a knop, and
two branches proceeded from it on either side. There remained three
hand-breadths, in which were the bowls, the knops, and the flowers, as is
said, "Three bowls made like unto almonds with a knop and a flower in one
branch."(673) It follows that the bowls were twenty-two, and the knops
eleven, and the flowers nine. "The bowls, to what were they like?" "To
cups of Alexandria." "The knops, to what were they like?" "To the apples
of pine-trees."(674) "The flowers, to what were they like?" "To the
flowers on the pillars of the temple." It is found that you learn that
there exist in the candlestick difficulty and forgetfulness more than in
all the other vessels. "And whence know we that OMNIPRESENCE showed to
Moses, the vessels ready, and the candlestick ready?" As it is said, "see
and make them according to their patterns."(675) Although Solomon made ten
candlesticks and all of them were lawful for service, as is said, "And he
made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the
temple, five on the right hand and five on the left."(676) If you say,
five on the south and five on the north, is not the candlestick on the
north worthless? "And what is meant by saying, five on the right hand and
five on the left?" "Five on the right side of the candlestick of Moses,
and five on the left side of the candlestick of Moses, even though they
lighted the candlestick of Moses only, as is said, 'And the candlestick of
gold, with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening.' "(677) Rabbi Jose,
the son of Rabbi Judah, said, "they were all lighted," as is said,
"Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after
the manner, before the oracle of pure gold; and the flowers, and the
lamps, and the tongs made he of gold, and that perfect gold."(678) All
these completed the golden one of Moses. Those on the west and east flamed
in front of the middle light, as is said, "The seven lamps shall give
light over against the candlestick."(679) From thence Rabbi Nathan said,
"the middle one is the most honorable." The seven lamps flamed alike, and
their lamps were equal, and they resembled each other. "How did they snuff
it?" "They removed the snuff from the candlestick and deposited it in the
tent, and rubbed it with a sponge." "It follows that many priest