The Easiest DIY Way to Clean a Menorah

This is a super simple way to clean a menorah! I love using a seven branch menorah in my home during the Biblical holidays or sometimes just because. Throughout Scripture the seven lights of the candlestand represent the presence of YHWH. The only downside is that afterwards it tends to look something like this:

To scrape this wax off would take approximately forever, and it's easy to scratch your menorah if you employ a knife to assist you. Not to worry though, there is a better way!

It only requires three things: an oven, baking sheet, and a sheet of parchment paper for easy clean up. You could also use foil if that's what you have on hand. Place the parchment on the baking sheet and lay the menorah on it's side.

Place your oven on low heat. The lowest temperature mine would allow is 170°. Place your metal menorah in the oven and let it go for five minutes. It doesn't take long for it to warm up and for the wax to run right off! You will see small puddles of wax on your parchment paper as in the photo below. If there is still wax on the menorah leave it in for another five minutes or so. The time this takes will vary based on what type of wax is on your menorah, its thickness, the heat of the oven and so on.

Once the wax has all dripped off carefully remove the pan from the oven and let the menorah cool. It will be very hot!

Doesn't that look so much better? And it only took five minutes and no scraping! This is my go-to for the menorah cleaning. I hope you find it beneficial as well!

Related posts:
Where We See Menorahs in Scripture
Why the Seven Branch Menorah Matters

Torah Keeping in the New Covenant

The Torah is often misconstrued as a legalistic law given to us by a grumpy God as some sort of temporary appeasement until his son would get out of bed and come downstairs to fix things. And, yes, YHWH allowed the Levitical Temple system to temporarily stand in for the blood of Yahusha. However, YHWH never meant for his instructions to be written off later. Rather they are a permanent guide from a loving Father to teach us how we can live in a way that is best for us and most honoring to him.

Reading through the Old Testament it is easy to see that the core of the stories are centered around keeping YHWH's Torah - also know as instructions or commandments. The first books of the Bible are about those who were obedient to YHWH's spoken instructions and then about receiving the Torah in writing. Judges is a cycle of things going well when the Israelites kept the word, and disaster happening when the people were disobedient by not keeping the feast days or intermarrying with those not serving YHWH. Kings is about the rulers who didn't keep the Torah, and the few who did. Ezra is a celebration of the Torah. King David wrote Psalms about the Torah being more valuable than millions in gold. King Josiah tore his clothes when a Torah scroll was found in the Temple, fore he realized YHWH was angry they weren't keeping it. Nehemiah is a return of the walls of Jerusalem and the set apart times of YHWH. Daniel is the story of a man who refused to break Scripture's dietary commands by eating unclean animals. There are prophecies of the destruction that comes on nations who are disobedient to Torah, and the hope of a greater day when YHWH's instructions are honored. The Proverbs admonish us to keep the Torah. The whole thing is about that. Surprising as it may be, YHWH's Word is about keeping YHWH's word.

So we can see the significance of YHWH's instructions take in 2/3 of the canon of Scripture. But what about the rest of it? Once you read of the beauty and the value of YHWH's word it is hard to swallow the idea of 'he got rid of that and now we don't have to keep the Torah anymore' that the traditions of Christianity push. A closer look at the New Covenant reveals that the Messiah and his followers kept and honored the Torah.

Torah Keeping in the New Testament

"I did not come to abolish the Torah." -Matthew 5:17

This statement alone should send us into prayer and reevaluation of the what we have been taught. The Messiah said so himself that he wasn't getting rid of YHWH's instructions.

"I will put my Torah in their minds, and write it on their hearts." - Hebrews 8:10

The book of Hebrews was written some thirty years after the Messiah's death and YHWH still desired the hearts and minds of his people to be filled with his instructions.

"Let everyone who names the name of Messiah depart from Torah-breaking." -2 Timothy 2:19
Faith in the Messiah does not let us off the hook to act however we please. Paul is telling us that if we are going to claim to be believers in Messiah we had better start honoring his word.

"I have never eaten food that was unclean." - Acts 10:14

This statement from Peter is a big clue. He made this statement years after the ascension of Yahusha. That whole time he never considered it okay to violate the dietary instructions. Why? Because the Messiah never taught that.

"The doers of the Torah are being made righteous." -Romans 2:13

This tells us that Torah observance is a sign that YHWH is working in that person to make them righteous. In the same way, if you want to be made righteous you should start keeping the commandments.

"By going after the error of the Torahless, you fall." - 2 Peter 3:17

Peter not only taught that disregarding the Torah was an error but one that is damaging and destructive!

"What good is it if someone has faith but has no actions to prove it?" -James 2:14
Much of the writings of the Messiah's half-brother and leader of the Israaelite congregation are devoted to reminding us that simply having faith is not enough. Faith alone is a starting point, but then we are called to take steps of obedience. James questioned the supposed faith of those who weren't willing to prove it by putting the Torah instructions into practice.

"Lot was tormented with the filthy conduct of those without Torah." -2 Peter 2:7

One of Yahusha's most trusted disciples and leaders of The Way said this. The conduct of those without Torah is tormenting to the righteous. Believers should be saddened when someone disobeys the Word.

"Sin is the transgression of Torah." -1 John 3:4

Decades after the Messiah, sin was still defined by violating the commandments of YHWH. This is no different today. More on how the New Testament defines sin here.

"All the Scriptures are given by YHWH and are profitable for teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting of faults, and training in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:16

There was no "New Testament" when Paul wrote this. He is talking about the whole of the Old Testament, including YHWH's instructions. He still viewed them as the measures for what sin is, knowing truth, and righteous living.

"Acting contrary to the Torah insults Elohim himself." -Romans 2:23

YHWH is insulted when we are unwilling to keep his commandments.

"Keeping the Torah of YHWH is everything." -1 Corinthians 7:19

Yes, the instructions of YHWH like Sabbath guarding, clean eating, and the feast days. Paul tells us these should be of the utmost importance to us.

"Be doers of the Torah, and not hearers only deceiving yourselves." -James 1:22

A person believes lies when they decide it's important to study Scripture but that they are not required to implement it in their lives. While they may be deceived by this, YHWH is not.

Restoring the Paths to Live In

Isaiah 58:12 RSTNE - And they that shall be from among you shall build the old ruined places, you shall restore the foundations of many generations;  and you shall be called, Gadar-Peretz, the restorer of paths to live in.

Restorer of the Breach. The dictionary defines 'breach' like this: 

1 : infraction or violation of a law, obligation, tie, or standard

2 a : a broken, ruptured, or torn condition or area

   b : a gap (as in a wall) made by battering

So from the definition we can see the breach Isaiah is talking about here. It's a gap between us and the "paths to live in," and it was made that way by violating YHWH's instructions. It is a break in the foundation of our faith.

The Hebrew for restorer or repairer drives this point even further. The word is shuv, which is the root word of repentance, and it literally means to "turn back to YHWH." Restoration can only happen when we repent of our own ways and get back on YHWH's path.

The imagery of paths is very prevalent in Scripture; it is not limited to simply your life, but rather the way YHWH desires all of us to live. Walking on YHWH's path means doing things his way, both trusting in Yahusha and keeping the Torah instructions. Early believers in Yahusha described themselves as followers of The Way. Same idea here.

YHWH is speaking of things in his Word that have long been ruined or forgotten about.

 Things like honoring Shabbat, the Festivals of YHWH, and eating according to Scripture have been mostly disregarded throughout the centuries but YHWH is equipping us to be Restorers of this Breach. The one path of YHWH, of trusting in Yahusha and honoring the Torah, will be restored. The national heritage of Israel will be restored and YHWH will bring both houses to the truth.

This passage tells us that no matter how long his Word has been misunderstood or disregarded, YHWH promises to restore it. YHWH desires the old, foundational places of our faith be restored so that we can walk in his way, on his path. He says some of Israel will be known as 'Restorers' of his way. When the path to live in is restored, more people will walk on it.

Ezekiel 36:36 - "I YHWH rebuild the ruined places."

Be Content On Shabbat Printable

Have you heard D'ror Yikra by the Maccabeats? The name means 'He Will Proclaim Freedom' and it is traditionally sung on Shabbat.

The lyrics translate like this:

He shall proclaim freedom for man and woman,

And He will protect you like the apple of His eye.

Pleasant will be your name, never to cease.

Rest and be content on Shabbat.

Seek my temple and my sanctuary,

And show me a sign of salvation.

Plant a branch within my vineyard;

Turn to the outcry of my people!

Tread the wine press in Bozrah,

And also Babylon that has overpowered us.

Smash my foes with wrathful anger;

Hear my voice on the day I call.

My favorite line is the most out of place: Sh'vu venuchu b'yom Shabbat. Rest and be content on Shabbat. This doesn't seem to fit with some of the other lyrics, Babylon has overpowered us. We have enemies. Hear our cries. The admonition is simple, even when the situation is not.

This song is a hopeful look at the heartache of our world and the promises of Yahweh. Yes, we may be overpowered by Babylon, but you will protect us. We may be oppressed but you have promised us freedom. We cry out to you and you promise to show us your Yeshua.

It might be challenging but we will keep your commandments and be content on Shabbat.

I know I need this reminder. Rest and be content. So much so that I made it into a printable. Place it somewhere you will see it often and it will remind you that even when things aren't going well Yahweh's word is still true. He hears you. He protects you. He gives you freedom. Rest and be content on Shabbat.

This printable is free for your personal use. Once again I used graphics from the very talented Angie Makes.

Click here to download this printable.