זכריה, פרק ד׳, פסוק י״ב

Seeking a deeper understanding of the miraculous Menorah vision, the prophet focuses on the dual elements and the supernatural production of oil. After an initial inquiry, he asks a second time to clarify the exact meaning of specific components within the vision [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

He draws attention to the tops of the olive branches [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These branches are uniquely compared to stalks of grain; just as a wheat stalk is packed with kernels, these branches were heavily laden and completely full of olives [רד"ק, מצודת ציון]. In the vision, two of these branches detached from their place and fell toward the vessels. A miraculous process then unfolded as the olives were pressed entirely on their own, without any human intervention [מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא, רד"ק].

There are different understandings regarding exactly where the branches were positioned during this process. Some explain that the branches rested right next to the golden receptacles [רש"י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others suggest they fell directly inside the vessels, allowing the olives to be miraculously pressed within [רד"ק, מצודת ציון].

These golden vessels acted as flasks [רד"ק, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. From them, the freshly pressed oil poured out, flowing toward the large bowl at the top of the Menorah. The oil was then distributed through pipes directly into the individual lamps [אבן עזרא, רד"ק, מצודת דוד]. The liquid pouring from the vessels is described simply as gold. However, there is unanimous agreement that this does not refer to molten metal, but rather to the olive oil itself. The oil was so clear, pure, and highly refined that its color resembled liquid gold, burning with a brilliant and precious light [רש"י, מצודת ציון, אבן עזרא, רד"ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].