Two by day, seven by night

When the Kohen entered the Kodesh to clean the Menorah in the morning, he would find the 2 eastern lamps still alight[1]. They would be left to burn throughout the day. In the evening all 7 lamps would be lit and would burn through the night.
 
In our previous post, we explained that 7 branches of the Menorah represent the 7 emotional drives of the soul, which parallel the 7 Divine energies of the Sefiros.
 
In Tehillim[2], Hashem’s presence is likened to the sun. Daytime represents a state where Hashem’s presence is openly revealed. We experience illumination and the physicality of the world does not create any concealment.
 
Night represents spiritual darkness, when we do not perceive G-dliness. We grope around in confusion and we suffer the challenges presented by the material world.
 
To remain strong in a night-time state, we need the light of all 7 candles – to actively engage with and illuminate each aspect of our soul. For example, it is not enough to just fulfil the Mitzvos with love (Chessed). One also needs to have a feeling of awe (Gevurah) to keep them from sin. The same is true for each of the 7 Middos.
 
When we experience spiritual daytime, the light of the 6th candle suffices. Because Hashem’s presence is revealed, all we need is to reveal Yesod - our deep connection to Hashem. This connection will be enough to influence all of the other dimensions of our psyche.
 
But the prerequisite to attaining Yesod is Malchus - humility and surrender to Hashem. And so, when the sun of Hashem shines in our lives, these 2 candles are all that we need.   
 
~ Based on Reshimas Hamenorah, Torah Or 29a