Sifrei Bamidbar 59

What is the intent of this section? From (Shemot 25:37) "and he (the artificer) shall fashion its lamps so that it shall light across its face," I might think that all the lamps should light across all of the menorah (i.e., from all directions); it is, therefore, written (Bamidbar 8:2) "towards the face (the central shaft) shall the seven lamps light" — that the lamps parallel the menorah (the central lamp), and the menorah, the (other) lamps. How so? Three in the north, three in the south and one (the menorah) in the middle, so that all (of the lamps) are parallel to the middle — whence R. Nathan says: "The middle one is honored." "Speak to Aaron": Because the entire section deals with Aaron, the words are directed to him. "and say to him": This is an exhortation to Aaron. "Beha'alothecha (lit., "when you raise) the lamps": Make steps (ma'aloth) for it. "towards (mul) the face (panim) of the menorah": Make for it "mul" (the three on each side facing) "towards" and "face" (i.e., the central shaft). "shall the seven lamps light": I might think that they light forever; it is, therefore, written (Vayikra 24:3) "from evening until morning." If "from evening until morning" (alone were written), I would think that this applied to all of them. It is, therefore, written (Ibid. 2) "to cause a lamp to light continuously" — This is the western lamp, which burned continuously and from which the menorah was kindled towards evening.