OK, looking further into the menorah in Scripture

And you shall make a lampstand of clean gold – the lampstand is made of beat- en work. Its base and its shaft, its cups, its ornamental knobs and blossoms are from it, and six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side; three cups made like almond flowers on one branch, with ornamental knob and blossom, and three cups made like almond flowers on the other branch, with orna- mental knob and blossom – so for the six branches coming out of the lampstand. “And on the lampstand itself are four cups made like almond flowers, with ornamental knob and blossom, and a knob under the first two branches of the same, and a knob under the second two branches of the same, and a knob under the third two branches of the same, according to the six branches coming out of the lampstand. “Their knobs and their branches are of the same – all of it one beaten work of clean gold. “And you shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall mount its lamps so that they give light in front of it.

Seems like they all ignore the almond blossom, flower being in the lampstand

I could not find one that seemed just right. I visited a store in Denver that carries many styles; I asked for a "7-branched" menorah, and the salesman said that they only carry 9-light menorahs; he asked why I wanted a 7-branched one, and I replied: "because that is the way God designed it." Well, I guess I did not make myself real popular at that point. He said that it was "inappropriate" to have a 7-branched menorah since that was designed only for the Temple in Jerusalem. Any thoughts on that?

Anyway, in the meantime, I decided to collect 7 plain glass, long-stemmed candleholders which also have a plain glass "cup" at the top; I plan to buy little floating wicks to float on top of olive oil which will fill the cups; I will just stand the 7 candlesticks on the dining table in a row - some are a little taller than others. So, I hope to teach the granddaughters about the significance of the Menorah and the number 7.

You know I actually saw an online site that had a menorah that was modelled on the temple menorah. It may not be an exact word for word representation of the Menorah in the temple (by the way we were going to name our child Menorah if it was a girl....now it is looking like we are going to have Yerushalayim....snip snip), but then again how is a menorah that we could hope to afford anything like the temple menorah...and should we even presume that we should have a true temple menorah. Who am I to prioritize but I think things like the fact that the temple menorah is to be made from pure clean gold and its construction methods (being a hammered single piece) carry more weight than the almond blossoms (not to say they aren't important...I am sure they are very important). We will buy something that is more than likely cast brass. The best we can hope for is a very very very pale shadow of the real thing.....a mere reminder of the real thing and its significance. So being that that is the case....I think if you can find something that you are satisfied with....that serves tje main purpose of rememberance of scriptual significance and the secondary purpose of identification and in a way set apartness....then that is enough. Of course none of use would accept blatant disrespect (like a 9 branch menorah) And this is just me talking again....with no authority...just opinions....but the closer I got to the real thing....the more worried I would become. I would be absolutely scared to death to have a big huge pure gold hammered menorah in my house with almond blossoms and knobs and all along with the ministering items. It would make me just about wet my pants. In no way would that make me feel torah observant or comforted. That if I could be assured it was up to YHWHs specifications has no business in my humble dwelling. It belongs in His...and who am I to presume. If somebody knocked on my door and there was the golden lampstand with a certificate of authenticity signed by YHWH and witnessed by Moshe and Aharon....I would fall to my knees rather than say...oh sweet...finally a piece that goes with the whole living room motif. I would be talking to Father Yah in a rather distraught state. But this is not to say....don't get a Menorah. It isn't. I would love to have one. Unfortunately I can't begin to absorb that cost. But I am wondering this....I have a picture of the temple Menorah currently prepared by the temple institute that at least by the scriptual account is accurate or representative of what the Menorah looked like. At any rate it is far better than I could do. In China I took the picture to a Chinese print shop and had it blown up a bit and I framed it. I know it might not be as satisfying but I think that might be a more affordable option and a good first step for those with the inclination.

Now, if I could buy a Torah scroll....wowowwowow.....that would be awesome....a Torah scroll with no vowel pointing....one that was accurate. The day I received that I would cry. I think.

shalom82, very sound advice. My comment about the almond blossoms and parts isn't that I necessarily need the menorah I wanting to get have them, but that they seem to be left out of discussions on menorahs. Those verses seem to be left out when citing Scripture about menorah's. I never realized that they were part of the menorah till looking closer at what Scripture says.
I just don't want all the man devised symbols (star of Davis, fish, cross, each of the 12 tribes symbols ect..) on it. Plus only want it 8-12 inches.

Good intel, eH. Thanks!

Wow, that took some work. It is pretty though and you did a good job on it in my opinion.