IN THE PARSHA:
The מנורה in the משכן had decorative גְבִיעִים (cups), and כֹּפְתוֹרִים (knobs), and פְרָחִים (flowers).
רמב"ם explains that the shape of the גְבִיעִים were like cups that are wider on the top but much narrower on the bottom.
Interestingly, we see in a sketch that רמב"ם himself drew, that he depicts these גְבִיעִים (sketched as triangles) as being cups in an upside down position.
QUESTION:
Why were the גְבִיעִים of the מנורה positioned upside down?
ANSWER:
A cup is held upright when it is receiving something that is being poured into it.
However, the function of a cup is not only to receive and store things.
Rather, it is meant specifically as something to be emptied, and we drink from it.
The cups on the מנורה, as well, represent that the מנורה is a source of spiritual light that spreads outward to the entire world.
This is why the גְבִיעִים were upside down, representing a cup being emptied, as it pours outward for others to receive.
Further discussion:
Where in the משכן itself do we find an example of an item that must be built upright?
(See אות ג in the שיחה)
