The Menorah represents the continuation of the Jewish
people more than any other symbol. Detailed instructions of how
to create it can be found in Exodus 25: 31-36 "And thou
shalt make a candlestick of pure gold ..." Today the
menorah is the state symbol of Israel. A large menorah stands
outside the Knesset (parliament building) in Jerusalem.
When the first temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE the golden menorah was also lost. Legend claims that it was hidden and brought back by the exiles. At the time when the second temple was build, the menorah was recreated only to be carried of by the Romans in 70 ACE. This event was depicted on the Arch of Titus build in Rome. To this day observant Jews will not walk under the arch symbolizing the exile of the Jewish people. After the destruction of the second temple the menorah became a symbol of Jewish survival and continuation.