made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand and five on the left.”(676) If you say, five on the south and five on the north, is not the candlestick on the north worthless? “And what is meant by saying, five on the right hand and five on the left?” “Five on the right side of the candlestick of Moses, and five on the left side of the candlestick of Moses, even though they lighted the candlestick of Moses only, as is said, ‘And the candlestick of gold, with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening.’ ”(677) Rabbi José, the son of Rabbi Judah, said, “they were all lighted,” as is said, “Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner, before the oracle of pure gold; and the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs made he of gold, and that perfect gold.”(678) All these completed the golden one of Moses. Those on the west and east flamed in front of the middle light, as is said, “The seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.”(679) From thence Rabbi Nathan said, “the middle one is the most honorable.” The seven lamps flamed alike, and their lamps were equal, and they resembled each other. “How did they snuff it?” “They removed the snuff from the candlestick and deposited it in the tent, and rubbed it with a sponge.” “It follows that many priests were busied on one lamp.” The words of Rabbi José. But the Sages say, “they did not remove the lamps from their places; they only removed the snuff from the candlestick, as is said, ‘He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick.’ ”(680) Chapter XI