Jerusalem c.3190 AM: The ner maravi ceased to stay lit throughout the day.
It was in the times of Achaz the wicked King of Judah, when the Cohen who went in to clean the menorah, was shocked and surprised to find that the neir hamaaravi–western light was extinguished.
Each afternoon every lamp of the menorah received the same amount of oil, one half of a lug (150ml/5.3fl.oz) – enough for the flame to be lit until the following morning. Even though the western light had an equal amount of oil as the rest, it miraculously did not turn itself off when the others did.
This ended on the 18th of Av, in the times of King Achaz.
Source: Megillas Taanis, end.
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