The Bible describes the menorah as a seven-branched gold candelabrum that was used in Moses’ portable sanctuary in the desert and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. Fresh olive oil of the highest quality was used to light the lamps on a regular basis. Since ancient times, the menorah has been a symbol of Judaism, and it is the emblem on the contemporary state of Israel’s coat of arms. Three of the seven lamps were allowed to burn during the day, according to the Roman-Jewish historian Flavius Josephus; but, according to the Talmud, only the middle lamp was left blazing all day, with the same amount of oil as the others. Despite the fact that it had been lit first, that light buried oil despite the fact that all the other lights had been extinguished.