[Avodah] Semi-Circular Menorah

[Aryeh Herzig]

If semi-circular would be OK, then why not a full circle?  After all they 
would all be visible being under 10 tefachim from the ground.

I think that the straight line is meant to mimic the straight line of the 
neiros of the menorah in the Bais Hamikdosh.

In the solid gold menorah of the Bais Hamikdosh, it would have been far 
easier to build a menorah with all its kaftorim and perochim as seven 
radiant protrusions from one stem.  It would look like a circle, looking 
down.  The is nothing in the written Torah to preclude such a shape.

This is because gold is a soft metal and the longer the pipes are, the more 
difficult it is to keep to keep them from drooping and warping.  Yet, we 
know from our tradition plus archeaology that it was built as a straight 
line, as difficult as is was for the goldsmith.

Moshe was shown how it should look on Har Sinai.  KaMar'eh Asher Hor'etha 
BaHar.

This "straightness" of the neiros is, therefore, a     Halacha LMoshe 
MiSinai - Torah SheBaal Peh     that is actually refered to in the written 
Torah.

Chanuka celebrates Torah SheBaal Peh.  The straightness of the neiros is, 
therefore, of prime importance.