[Avodah] The shape of the Menorah of the Temple

[Eli Turkel]

Sperber has am extended discussion in vol 5 of minhagei yisrael

Sifii Zuta  uses the word "atarah" to describe the menorah.
Ha-Zet Raanaan (from the Magen Avrahram) brings two interpretations
either that the menorah was round surround the center arm and not in a
straight line
but says this is against the gemara and gives a second intreptation
that the arms were round
but says that was "dochak"

He bring pictures of Chashmanoim coins that clearly show curved arms (37 BCE)
Of course the famous picture in the arch of Titus shows curved arms.
Similarly excavations in the Jewish quarter and on Kever Yason all
show a menorah
with curved arms Later in the 3rd and 4th century (CE) pictures from
bet shearim,
a glass plate from Rome of the same era
all show curved arms as well as the shul in Priene from Byzantine times.
one picture from dura in 245 show a more stra♠ight arm with slight curves
while a second picture from Dura clearly shows curved arms.
Hence, virtually all ancient pictures show curved arms

Most of the article of Sperber deals with the base where most pictures show
a triangular base with the arch of Titus differing.♠

-- 
Eli Turkel