[Avodah] Symbolism of the Menora

[Simon Montagu]

In preparation for the AishDas Arukh haShulchan Yomi* I have been looking
at the author's introduction at
https://he.wikisource.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%9A_%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%97%D7%9F/%D7%94%D7%A7%D7%93%D7%9E%D7%94
(in the printed editions it's at the front of Hoshen Mishpat, the first
volume to appear).

RME says, (in the third paragraph as formatted in wikitext): "[The Torah]
is the source of all wisdoms, and this is alluded to by the six branches of
the menora, all of which turned towards the central lamp, as explained by
the great sages of the heart, is it not in their book[? - sifratam]"

A number of things puzzled me here. Who are being referred to as "hachmei
halev?" and what is their "book". Am I even understanding "sifratam"
correctly? I don't recall coming across this form anywhere else.

I searched on Sefaria and Google and saw a similar idea in a few places,
mostly without citing any sources earlier than Rav Kook. It does appear in
Rabenu Behaye on Shemot 25:3. Can anyone point me to a primary source?

*which I dare say RMB will be grateful if I add a link to: <
https://www.aishdas.org/ahs-yomi>
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