MISHNAH 1:

IN THREE PLACES THE PRIESTS KEEP WATCH IN THE TEMPLE — IN THE CHAMBER OF AVTINAS, IN THE SPARK CHAMBER(39) AND IN THE HEARTH BUILDING(28).

THE LEVITES KEEP WATCH IN TWENTY-ONE PLACES — FIVE [LEVITES] AT FIVE GATES OF THE TEMPLE MOUNT(1), FOUR AT ITS FOUR CORNERS ON THE INSIDE, FIVE AT FIVE GATES OF THE AZARAH COURTYARD(48). FOUR AT THE FOUR CORNERS [OF THE AZARAH] ON THE OUTSIDE, ONE AT THE OFFERING CHAMBER(42b), ONE AT THE CHAMBER OF THE CURTAIN, AND ONE BEHIND THE HOLY OF HOLIES

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CHAMBER OF AVTINAS- The chamber where the "ketores"-incense was prepared. The chamber, named after a renown family of incense makers. It was located in the vicinity of the Water Gate(43). Some say it was located on a balcony above the Water Gate inside the Azarah Courtyard.

SPARK CHAMBER- a room on a balcony above the Spark Gate. A small fire was kept constantly burning here, should the Temple ever need a fire-source.

HEARTH BUILDING- the sleeping quarters for the priests. This was the only heated room in the Temple.

FIVE GATES OF THE TEMPLE MOUNT- The 5 gates are discussed in Mishna 3.

AT FIVE GATES OF THE AZARAH COURTYARD- There were 13 gates around the Azarah Courtyard. This was the main courtyard of the Temple. It is often referred to simply as the Azarah. The Levites stood guard at 5 of the 13. The Mishna does not state which five.

AZARAH- The main courtyard on the Temple Mount.

THE OFFERING CHAMBER- the chamber where sacrificial animals were examined for blemishes. Some commentaries identify this chamber with the Chamber of the Sacrificial Lambs mentioned in Mishna 6.

CHAMBER OF THE CURTAIN- where the curtain which separated the Holy and the Holy of Holies was woven. Its exact location is not known.

HOLY OF HOLIES- lit. behind the place of the covering. The Holy of Holies was also called the Place of the Covering, referring to the covering of the Ark.

MISHNAH 2:

THE OFFICER OF THE TEMPLE MOUNT USED TO GO ROUND TO EVERY WATCH STATION, WITH LIGHTED TORCHES BEFORE HIM.

AND IF ANY WATCHMAN DID NOT RISE [UPON HIS APPROACH] AND SAY TO HIM, PEACE BE TO THEE, OFFICER OF THE TEMPLE MOUNT, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT HE WAS ASLEEP. [THE OFFICER] WOULD STRIKE HIM WITH HIS STICK, AND HE WAS ALSO AT LIBERTY TO BURN HIS CLOTHES. THE OTHERS USED TO SAY, WHAT IS THE NOISE IN THE AZARAH COURTYARD? IT IS THE CRY OF A LEVITE WHO IS BEING BEATEN AND WHOSE CLOTHES ARE BEING BURNT, BECAUSE HE WAS ASLEEP AT HIS POST.

REBBE ELIEZER BEN YAAKOV SAID: ONCE THEY FOUND MY MOTHER'S BROTHER ASLEEP, AND THEY BURNT HIS CLOTHES.

MISHNAH 3:

THERE WERE FIVE GATES TO THE TEMPLE MOUNT(1)- THE TWO GATES OF CHULDAH(2) ON THE SOUTH WHICH WERE USED FOR ENTRANCE AND EXIT.

THE GATE OF KIPONUS(3) ON THE WEST WHICH WAS USED BOTH FOR ENTRANCE AND EXIT.

THE GATE OF TADDI(4) ON THE NORTH WHICH WAS NOT USED [BY THE PUBLIC] AT ALL,

AND THE EASTERN GATE(5) OVER WHICH WAS A REPRESENTATION OF THE PALACE OF SHUSHAN AND THROUGH WHICH THE HIGH PRIEST WHO BURNT THE RED HEIFER AND ALL WHO ASSISTED WITH IT USED TO GO FORTH TO THE MOUNT OF ANOINTING.

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GATES OF CHULDAH- named after the First Temple era prophetess, Chuldah. These were the main Temple entrance and exit. Near these gates, the prophetess Chuldah would address the Jewish women who were making their way onto the Temple grounds. Some say that these gates were called the Chuldah gates because they led into long narrow tunnels that surfaced on the mountain's top. Passing through the tunnel made on feel like a rodent crawling through the woodwork of a house. Chuldah in Hebrew means rodent.

KIPONUS- Kiponus means garden in Greek. There was a rose garden nearby. The pedals were used in the preparing of the "kitores"-incense. Some say it was called the Capanus Gate, meaning "head" in Greek. Since this gateway was the closest to the Holy of Holies it was called the Head Gateway.

TADDI- a gateway with an unusual lintel stone. Whereas all Temple doorways had horizontal lintel stones consisting of a single block of stone, the Taddi gate had a triangular lintel, like an inverted "V." See Chapter 2, Mishna 3.

This gateway was for the exclusive use of the Temple priests. There are many interpretations as to the derivation of the name. Some say it was named after the benefactor who had the its doors constructed. Some say the word means "high," since its triangular lintel was higher than the other gateways. Others say it means "leaning," referring to the fact that its two lintel stones lean on one another. Others maintain it means "private," meaning that this gateway was for the private, or personal use of the priests. Still others say that it was called the T'ri Gateway because its lintel formed the peak of a triangle.

EASTERN GATE- also called Shushan Gate. This gateway was opposite the entrance to the Sanctuary and opposite the highest point on the Mount of Anointing. This gateway faced the Persian city of Shushan which was to the east of Eretz Yisroel. The purpose of the representation of the Persian capital was to pay tribute to the Persians who permitted the building of the Second Temple. It also served as a reminder to remain faithful to the Persians.

MOUNT OF ANOINTING- identified with the Mount of Olives, to the east of the Temple Mount.

MISHNAH 4:

THERE WERE SEVEN GATES IN THE AZARAH, THREE IN THE NORTH AND THREE IN THE SOUTH AND ONE IN THE EAST.

IN THE SOUTH THERE WAS THE GATE OF KINDLING(45), SECOND WAS THE GATE OF FIRST BORN OFFERING(44), THIRD WAS THE WATER GATE(43).

IN THE EAST THERE WAS THE GATE OF NICANOR(14) WHICH HAD TWO ROOMS ATTACHED, ONE ON ITS RIGHT AND ONE ON ITS LEFT. ONE WAS THE ROOM OF PINCHAS THE DRESSER(15) AND ONE THE ROOM OF THE MINCHAS CHAVITIN MAKERS(16).

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GATE OF KINDLING- The firewood that was used on the Altar was carried in through this gate.

GATE OF FIRST BORN OFFERING- All "kodoshim kalim" (sacrifies of lesser sanctity), such as the first-born offerings, were brought into the Azarah through this southern gateway. These sacrifices did not have the restriction of "kodoshai kodoshim" (sacrifices of greater sanctity) which had to be slaughtered north of the Altar.

WATER GATE- Three reasons are given for the name of this gate. 1) On Succos, the water libation, "nisuch ha'mayim," was brought into the Temple through this gateway. 2) A small stream trickled through the gateway. 3) A mikva, used by the High Priest on Yom Kipper, was located on a balcony above this gate.

GATE OF NICANOR- named after the donor who had these two large copper doors commissioned in Alexandria Egypt.

PINCHAS THE DRESSER- the dressing room for the priests, named after the first official in charge of this chamber. It was located on the eastern wall of the Azarah, to the north of the Nicanor Gate.

MINCHAS CHAVITIN MAKERS- Every day a "mincha" (meal offering) was offered on behalf of the High Priest. It was prepared in this chamber.

MISHNAH 5:

ON THE NORTH WAS THE GATE OF THE SPARK(39) THAT WAS LIKE AN EXCEDRA. IT HAD AN UPPER CHAMBER BUILT ON IT. THE PRIESTS WATCHED FROM ABOVE AND THE LEVITES BELOW. IT HAD A DOOR OPENING INTO THE CHEL(7).

SECOND WAS THE GATE OF THE SACRIFICE(40) AND THIRD WAS THE HEARTH BUILDING(28).

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GATE OF THE SPARK- In front of the gateway, towards the outside, was a balcony supported by marble columns. The Spark Chamber was located on the balcony.

EXCEDRA- a roofed area supported by columns

CHEL- the area immediately outside the Azarah. See Chapter 2, Mishna 3.

GATE OF THE SACRIFICE- "Kadashai kadashim" (sacrifices of greater sanctity) were brought in through this northern gateway.

HEARTH BUILDING- the priests' sleeping quarters. This was the only heated building in the Temple. Hearth refers to a fireplace.

MISHNAH 6:

THERE WERE FOUR CHAMBERS(42a-42d) [CONNECTED] TO THE HEARTH BUILDING, LIKE SMALL ROOMS OPENING INTO A HALL. TWO [CHAMBERS WERE] IN SACRED GROUND AND TWO IN NON-SACRED.

THERE WERE BEAMS PROTRUDING [FROM THE WALL INSIDE THE HEARTH BUILDING] SEPARATING THE HOLY FROM THE PROFANE.

FOR WHAT WERE [THESE CHAMBERS] USED? [THE ONE ON THE] SOUTH-WEST WAS THE CHAMBER OF THE SACRIFICAL LAMBS(42b). [THE ONE ON THE] SOUTH-EAST WAS THE CHAMBER OF THE SHEWBREAD MAKERS(42d). [THE ONE ON THE] NORTH-EAST(42c) [IS WHERE] THE HASMONEANS STORED THE STONES OF THE ALTAR WHICH THE KINGS OF GREECE HAD DEFILED.THROUGH [THE ONE ON THE] NORTHWEST THEY USED TO GO DOWN TO THE MIKVA(42a).

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[CONNECTED]- There are differences in opinion if the four chambers were located inside the Hearth building, in the corners of the building, or if they were located outside the building, not far from the corners.

SACRED GROUND- Half of the Hearth Building was located within the Azarah and half the building was located outside the Azarah, in the Chel. One was not even permitted to sit in the Azarah. Since the Hearth Building was for sleeping, it had to be constructed at least partially outside the Azarah. Maimonides envisions the entire building outside the Azarah. Only the half of the building that was adjacent to the Azarah had sanctity.

SEPARATING THE HOLY FROM THE PROFANE- The wooden beams projected from the wall to mark the boundary between the half of the building that was located within the Azarah and the half of the building that was located outside the Azarah. The priests were only permitted to eat from the "kadashai kadashim" within the sacred area of the azarah.

SACRIFICAL LAMBS- A supply of lambs used for the morning and afternoon Tamid-sacrifice was kept in this chamber.

SHEWBREAD MAKERS- A family called Garmu was in charge of baking the weekly Shewbread that was kept on the golden table.

HASMONEANS- family name of the Macabees.

STONES OF THE ALTAR- This chamber was also called the Receipt Chamber. If one desired to offer a meal offering, it was paid for in this room. A receipt was given and taken to the chamber where the flour and oil was stored. (See Chapter 2, Mishna 5) The necessary supplies were given to the bearer of the receipt. The Receipt Chamber (Lishkas HaChosemos) was vacated and used to store the remains of the defiled altar.

MIKVA- The mikva of the priests and the bathrooms were located underground. In this chamber was a spiral staircase that led to these underground rooms.

MISHNAH 7:

THE HEARTH BUILDING(28) HAD TWO GATES, ONE OPENING INTO TO THE CHEL(7) AND ONE INTO TO THE AZARAH COURTYARD(48). REBBE JUDAH SAYS: THE [GATE] THAT OPENED INTO TO THE AZARAH COURTYARD HAD A SMALL GATE [BUILT INTO IT] THROUGH WHICH THEY WENT TO EXAMINE THE AZARAH COURTYARD.

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TWO GATES- There were two gates in the Hearth Building opposite each other. One was on the southern wall of the building and opened into the Azarah. The other was on the northern wall and opened into the Chel.

CHEL- The area immediately surrounding the Azarah.

EXAMINE- Early each morning a few priests would pass through the small doorway to examine the state of the Azarah and it's paraphernalia. The door of the large gateway was too heavy for the small contingent to open and so a small doorway was made for them.

MISHNAH 8:

THE HEARTH BUILDING(28) WAS DOMED. IT WAS A LARGE ROOM SURROUNDED WITH STONE PLATFORMS. ON THESE THE ELDERS OF THE SERVING PRIESTS USED TO SLEEP. THE KEYS TO THE AZARAH [GATES WERE ENTRUSTED] INTO THEIR HANDS. THE YOUNG PRIESTS SLEPT EACH WITH HIS CUSHION ON THE GROUND.

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DOMED- This building served as the sleeping quarters for the priests. To give special recognition for their service, their quarters was the only building to have a dome.

PLATFORMS- Built along the walls of the Hearth Building, in the half of the building that was located outside the Azarah, was a series of large stone steps going from the floor to the ceiling. The elder priests would sleep on these steps.

MISHNAH 9:

THERE WAS A PLACE THERE [IN THE HEARTH BUILDING], ONE CUBIT SQUARE ON WHICH WAS A TILE OF MARBLE. ONTO [THIS TILE] WAS FIXED A RING [FROM ABOVE] AND A CHAIN [FROM BELOW] ON WHICH THE KEYS [TO THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS OF THE TEMPLE GATEWAYS] WERE HUNG.

WHEN CLOSING TIME CAME, THE PRIEST WOULD RAISE THE SLAB BY THE RING AND TAKE THE KEYS FROM THE CHAIN. THEN THE PRIEST WOULD LOCK FROM WITHIN WHILE THE LEVITE WAS SLEEPING WITHOUT.

WHEN HE HAD FINISHED LOCKING UP, HE WOULD REPLACE THE KEYS ON THE CHAIN AND THE SLAB IN ITS PLACE AND LAY HIS CUSHION ON IT AND SLEEP THERE.

IF A SEMINAL EMISSION HAPPENED TO ONE OF THEM, HE WOULD GO OUT [OF THE HEARTH CHAMBER] BY [WAY OF] THE WINDING STAIRCASE(42a) WHICH WENT UNDER THE ROYAL FORTRESS. IT WAS LIGHTED WITH OIL LAMPS ON BOTH SIDES, UNTIL HE REACHED THE MIKVA. REBBE ELIEZER BEN YAAKOV SAYS: HE DESCENDED BY THE WINDING STAIRCASE WHICH WENT UNDER THE CHEL(7). HE [THEN] WENT OUT BY THE TADDI GATE.

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PLACE- a recess in the floor.

WINDING STAIRCASE- The winding staircase led to a lower level. In this subterranean area were the bathroom and the mikva. There was also a tunnel there that led underground to near the northern Tadi Gate.

ROYAL FORTRESS- a synonym for the temple, or possibly refers to the Antonia Fortress which was adjacent to the northern part of the Temple Mount.

OIL LAMPS- Niches where cut into the walls of the tunnel and lit oil lamps were placed there to illuminate the darkness.

MISHNAH 1:

THE TEMPLE MOUNT(1) WAS BY FIVE HUNDRED. THE GREATER PART OF [THE OPEN AREA] WAS TO THE SOUTH. THE SECOND [GREATEST OPEN AREA] WAS TO THE EAST. THE THIRD [GREATEST OPEN AREA] WAS TO THE NORTH. THE LEAST [OPEN AREA] WAS TO THE WEST. THE GREATER [THE OPEN AREA], THE MORE IT WAS USED.

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TEMPLE MOUNT- Though the Mishna makes no mention of the walls around the Temple Mount, there were retaining walls built around the entire mountain. A few years before the Common Era, the Judean King, Herod, expanded the Temple Mount and its walls. These are the walls we see today.

FIVE HUNDRED CUBITS- This was the halachic minimum size of the sacred area of the Temple Mount. It is approximately 565,000 square feet. Throughout its history it was enlarged until the era of Herod when the area was at its greatest, approximately 1,600,000 square feet.

GREATER PART- The walls of the Temple Mount were square, 500 cubits by 500 cubits. The Azarah was a rectangle 135 cubits by 187 cubits. It was not centered on top the mountain but was near the northwest quarter. The greatest distance between the walls of the Azarah and the walls of the Temple Mount was to the south.

OPEN AREA- The open area was not bare. The were many buildings constructed here that pertained to the Temple Service and charitable institutions. Some of the buildings were the Beth Medresh, Tool Chamber, Charity Room, Trumah Donation Chamber, Ma'aser Donation Chamber, Infirmary, Treasury, Synagogue, Lower Court Chamber, Shekalim Donation Chamber, among others.

USED- used for the construction of chambers mentioned in the preceding note.

MISHNAH 2:

ALL WHO ENTERED THE TEMPLE MOUNT ENTERED ON THE RIGHT AND WENT ROUND, EXITING TO THE LEFT, EXCEPT FOR ONE TO WHOM SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED. HE ENTERED AND WENT ROUND TO THE LEFT. [IF HE WAS ASKED], WHY DO YOU GO ROUND TO THE LEFT, [HE ANSWERED] BECAUSE I AM A MOURNER. [THEY SAID TO HIM], MAY HE WHO DWELLS IN THIS HOUSE COMFORT THEE. [IF HE SAID] BECAUSE I AM EXCOMMUNICATED. [THEY SAID] MAY HE WHO DWELLS IN THIS HOUSE INSPIRE THEM TO BEFRIEND THEE. SO SAID REBBE MEIR. REBBE YOSSI SAID TO HIM: YOU MAKE IT SEEM THAT THEY TREATED HIM UNJUSTLY. WHAT THEN SHOULD THEY SAY? MAY HE WHO DWELLS IN THIS HOUSE INSPIRE THEE TO LISTEN TO THE WORDS OF THY COLLEAGUES SO THAT THEY MAY BEFRIEND THEE.

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RIGHT- The flow of pedestrian traffic on the Temple Mount was towards the right.

LEFT- the left side of where he entered

HAPPENED- as will be explained

MISHNAH 3:

WITHIN [THE WALLS SURROUNDING THE TEMPLE MOUNT] WAS A LOW FENCE(6) TEN HANDBREADTHS HIGH. THERE WERE THIRTEEN BREACHES THERE, BREACHED BY THE KINGS OF GREECE. [THE RABBIS] THEN WENT AND REPAIRED THEM. THEY DECREED THAT THIRTEEN PROSTRATIONS SHOULD BE MADE OPPOSITE THEM.

BETWEEN [THE LOW FENCE AND THE AZARAH WALL] WAS THE CHEL(7), WHICH WAS TEN CUBITS [BROAD]. THERE WERE TWELVE STEPS THERE. THE HEIGHT OF EACH STEP WAS HALF A CUBIT AND ITS DEPTH WAS HALF A CUBIT.

ALL THE STEPS IN THE TEMPLE WERE HALF A CUBIT HIGH WITH A DEPTH OF HALF A CUBIT, EXCEPT THOSE OF THE HALL(33) [IN FRONT OF THE SANCTUARY(34,35)].

ALL THE DOORWAYS AND GATEWAYS THAT WERE THERE WERE TWENTY CUBITS HIGH AND TEN CUBITS WIDE EXCEPT THE HALL(33) [IN FRONT OF THE SANCTUARY(34,35)].

ALL THE DOORWAYS THAT WERE THERE HAD DOORS IN THEM EXCEPT THE HALL(33).

ALL THE GATEWAYS THAT WERE THERE HAD [HORIZONTAL] LINTEL STONES EXCEPT THAT OF TADDI GATE(4) WHICH HAD TWO STONES LEANING ONE UPON THE OTHER.

ALL THE GATEWAYS WERE [LATER] CHANGED [AND PLATED] WITH GOLD EXCEPT THE GATES OF NICANOR(14), BECAUSE A MIRACLE WAS OCCURRED WITH THEM. SOME SAY IT WAS BECAUSE THE COPPER OF THEM GLISTENED [LIKE GOLD].

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LOW FENCE- The low fence consisted of a stone wall one cubit high. On top the stone was a wooden lattice fence ten handbreaths high. The wooden lattice fence was supported by small stone columns. Where ever there was an opening in the low fence, stone markers were placed. These markers were written in Greek and Latin warning non-Jews not to pass beyond that point. The markers were attached to the stone wall near the opening.

THIRTEEN BREACHES- There were 13 openings in the low fence, opposite gateways into the Azarah. There were 13 sets of markers warnings non-Jews not to pass beyond that point. When the Greeks captured the Temple grounds, before the miracle of Chanukah occurred, they tore down the sections of wall that had the markers attached to them.

PROSTRATIONS- as a sign of acknowledging Hashem's help in regaining the Temple.

CHEL- The 10 cubit space between the low fence and the Azarah wall was called the Chel. The first 4 cubits of the Chel was level ground. Occupying the remaining six cubits of the Chel were 12 steps. Each step was 1/2 cubit high and 1/2 cubit deep.

EXCEPT THOSE OF THE HALL- which are discussed in Chapter 3, Mishna 6.

EXCEPT THE HALL- which was 40 cubits high and 20 cubits wide.

EXCEPT THE HALL- an embroidered curtain hung over the doorway.

TWO STONES LEANING- Some say the Taddi Gateway was shaped like an inverted "V." Others say that the door posts were parallel as the other gateways. Whereas the other gateways had a single horizontal lintel stone, the Taddi Gateway had two stones forming an inverted "V."

CHANGED- during the later part of the Second Temple era.

MIRACLE- Nicanor's two copper doors were fashioned in Alexandria, Egypt. While they were being brought to Eretz Yisroel by ship, a storm broke out. One of the great doors had to be cast overboard. When the ship docked in the harbor, the crew witnessed a miracle. There in the harbor was the great copper door that had been cast overboard.

MISHNAH 4:

ALL THE WALLS THAT WERE THERE WERE HIGH EXCEPT THE EASTERN WALL SO THAT THE PRIEST WHO BURNT THE RED HEIFER MIGHT WHILE STANDING ON THE TOP OF THE MOUNT OF ANNOINTING COULD GAZE CAREFULLY AND SEE THE DOOR OF THE SANCTUARY AT THE TIME OF THE SPRINKLING OF THE BLOOD.

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HIGH- The Mishna does not mention the height. Some of the various opinions are- 22, 40, 60, 70 cubits.

SEE- The priest would gaze over the low eastern wall, through the eastern gateway of the Women's Courtyard, through the Nicanor Gateway, into the doorway of the Sanctuary.

MISHNAH 5:

THE WOMEN'S COURTYARD(8) WAS A HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIVE CUBITS LONG BY A HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIVE WIDE. IT HAD FOUR CHAMBERS IN ITS FOUR CORNERS, EACH OF FORTY CUBITS.

THEY WERE NOT ROOFED, AND SO THEY WILL BE IN THE FUTURE [TEMPLE]. AS IT SAYS, THEN HE BROUGHT ME FORTH INTO THE OUTER COURT, AND CAUSED ME TO PASS BY THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE COURTYARD, AND BEHOLD IN EVERY CORNER OF THE COURTYARD THERE WAS [ANOTHER] COURTYARD IN THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE COURTYARD, THEY WERE "SMOKEY." "SMOKEY" MEANS THAT THEY WERE NOT ROOFED.

FOR WHAT WERE THEY USED? THE SOUTHEASTERN ONE WAS THE CHAMBER OF THE NAZIRITES(10) WHERE THE NAZIRITES USED TO COOK THEIR PEACE-OFFERINGS AND SHAVE THEIR HAIR AND THROW [THE HAIR INTO THE FIRE] UNDER THE POT [IN WHICH THE PEACE-OFFERING WAS COOKING].

THE NORTH-EASTERN ONE WAS THE WOOD CHAMBER(11) WHERE PRIESTS WITH A PHYSICAL DEFECT USED TO SORT OUT THE WOOD WHICH HAD WORMS. EVERY PIECE WITH A WORM IN IT BEING UNFIT FOR USE ON THE ALTAR.

THE NORTH-WESTERN ONE WAS THE CHAMBER OF THE LEPERS(12).

AS FOR THE SOUTHWESTERN ONE, REBBE. ELIEZER BEN YAAKOV SAID: I FORGET WHAT IT WAS USED FOR. ABBA SAUL SAYS: THEY USED TO STORE THERE WINE AND OIL, AND IT WAS CALLED THE OIL [STORAGE] PLACE CHAMBER(9).

[THE WOMEN'S AZARAH] HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN SMOOTH BUT [SUBSEQUENTLY] THEY SURROUNDED IT WITH A BALCONY SO THAT THE WOMEN COULD LOOK FROM ABOVE WHILE THE MEN WERE BELOW, AND THEY SHOULD NOT MIX TOGETHER.

FIFTEEN STEPS(13) LED UP FROM [THE WOMEN'S COURTYARD] TO THE ISRAELITE COURTYARD(17), CORRESPONDING TO THE FIFTEEN [SONGS OF] ASCENTS MENTIONED IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS. THE LEVITES USED TO CHANT PSALMS ON THESE. THE [STEPS] WERE NOT RECTANGULAR BUT [SEMI]CIRCULAR LIKE THE HALF OF A ROUND THRESHING FLOOR.

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FOUR CHAMBERS IN ITS FOUR CORNERS- While most commentaries explain that the four chambers were located inside the Women's Courtyard, some say they were located outside the courtyard near the corners.

FORTY CUBITS- All agree that each chamber was 40 cubits in length, going from east to west. Some say that their width, from north to south, was also 40 cubits. Others say that the widths were only 30 cubits.

SMOKEY- In the future Temple these four chambers will all be used for the cooking of the sacrificial meat. Therefore, the chambers will not have roofs in order that the smoke from the fire will disperse. The Second Temple also had this feature though only two of the rooms were used for cooking.

NAZIRITES- after the days of the nazirite's period had been completed.

UNFIT FOR USE ON THE ALTAR- However, the wood could be used for the cooking of the sacrificial meat.

LEPERS- A mikva was located in this chamber for use by the leper. (Note: "Mi'tzorah" is commonly but inaccurately translated as leper.) There were also stoves for cooking the meat of the leper's sacrifices.

I FORGET WHAT IT WAS USED FOR- This tractate was compose by Rebbe Eleazer ben Yaakov who was recalling from memory what he had seen in the Temple. Where ever his memory failed him, he duly makes note of it.

SMOOTH- Some say the word implies there was no wall surrounding the Women's Courtyard. Others say the word implies that there was a wall but it did not have a balcony.

BALCONY- The balcony was only constructed for the festival of Succos.

THE ISRAELITE COURTYARD- The first 11 cubits of width of the Azarah was called the Israelite Courtyard. The Israelites would stand in this area and observe the priests offering the Israelites' sacrifices.

CHANT PSALMS- during the Water Drawing ceremony on Succos. For the daily chanting of Psalms the Levites had a special platform or stage upon which they stood. That platform is mentioned in the next Mishna.

MISHNAH 6:

THERE WERE CHAMBERS UNDERNEATH THE ISRAELITE COURTYARD WHICH OPENED INTO THE WOMEN'S COURTYARD. THERE THE LEVITES USED TO KEEP LYRES AND LUTE AND CYMBALS AND ALL KINDS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

THE COURT OF THE ISRAELITES(17) WAS A HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIVE CUBITS IN LENGTH BY ELEVEN IN WIDTH.

SIMILARLY THE COURTYARD OF THE PRIESTS(18) WAS A HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIVE CUBITS IN LENGTH BY ELEVEN IN WIDTH. PROJECTING BEAMS [OF WOOD] SEPARATED THE COURTYARD OF ISRAELITES FROM THE COURTYARD OF THE PRIESTS. REBBE ELEAZER BEN YAKOV SAYS: THERE WAS A STEP [BETWEEN THE COURTYARD OF THE ISRAELITES AND THE COURTYARD OF THE PRIESTS] ONE CUBIT HIGH. ON IT WAS PLACED A PLATFORM. IT CONSISTED OF THREE STEPS EACH OF HALF A CUBIT [HIGH].

IN THIS WAY THE COURTYARD OF THE PRIESTS(18) WAS TWO AND A HALF CUBITS HIGHER THAN THE COURTYARD OF THE ISRAELITES.

THE WHOLE OF THE AZARAH COURTYARD(48) WAS A HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SEVEN CUBITS IN LENGTH BY A HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIVE IN WIDTH.

THIRTEEN PROSTRATIONS WERE MADE THERE. ABBA YOSE BEN CHANAN SAYS: THEY WERE MADE FACING THE THIRTEEN GATESWAYS.

THE SOUTHERN GATEWAYS, [BEGINNING] NEAR THE WESTERN [WALL], THERE WERE THE UPPER GATE(46), THE GATE OF KINDLING(45), THE GATE OF THE FIRST BORN OFFERING(44), AND THE WATER GATE(43).

WHY WAS IT CALLED THE WATER GATE? BECAUSE THEY BROUGHT IN THROUGH IT THE PITCHER OF WATER FOR POURING DURING THE FESTIVAL [OF SUCCOS]. REBBE ELIEZER BEN YAAKOV SAYS: IN IT THE WATER TRICKLED AND IN THE TIME TO COME THEY WILL FLOW FORTH FROM UNDER THE THRESHOLD OF THE TEMPLE.

CORRESPONDING TO THEM IN THE NORTH, [BEGINNING] NEAR THE WESTERN [WALL] WERE THE GATE OF YECHONIAH(39), THE GATE OF THE SACRIFICE(40), THE WOMEN'S GATE(41), THE GATE OF SONG(42).

WHY WAS IT CALLED THE GATE OF YECHONIAH? BECAUSE [KING] YECHONIAH WENT FORTH INTO CAPTIVITY THROUGH IT.

ON THE EAST WAS THE GATE OF NICANOR(14); IT HAD TWO SMALL [ADJACENT] GATEWAYS, ONE ON ITS RIGHT AND ONE ON ITS LEFT.

THERE WERE TWO GATES IN THE WESTERN [WALL] WHICH HAD NO NAME(47).

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CHAMBERS UNDERNEATH THE ISRAELITE COURTYARD- There were 15 steps which led up from the Women's Courtyard(8) to the Courtyard of the Israelites(17). Each steps was 1/2 cubit high. Therefore, the Courtyard of the Israelites was 7 1/2 cubits higher than the Women's Courtyard. The Mishna is referring to chambers that were under the Israelite Courtyard which opened into the Women's Courtyard. The doorway leading into the chambers were located near the sides of the steps.

COURTYARD OF THE PRIESTS- The next 11 cubits of width of the Azarah was called the Courtyard of the Priests.

PROJECTING BEAMS- Some say the beams projected from the northern and southern walls of the Azarah. Others say that the beams projected from the floor across the width of the Azarah. These beams marked the end of the boundary of the Israelite Courtyard.

PLATFORM- See diagram #1.

WHOLE - including the Courtyard of the Israelites and the Courtyard of the Priests.

THERE- opposite the 13 breaches in the low fence mentioned in Mishna 3.

FACING - Abba Yose ben Chanan says that the prostration took place not in front of the breach in the low fence but rather in front of the actual gateway.

UPPER GATE- This was the highest point of the Temple Mount. Also, this part of the Temple Mount belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. It was the highest point in the land of Benjamin. On occasion the Nicanor Gate is also referred to as the Upper Gate.

GATE OF KINDLING- The firewood for the Altar was carried into the Azarah through this gateway.

GATE OF THE FIRSTBORN OFFERING- All "kodoshim kalim," such as the first-born offerings, were brought into the Azarah through this southern gateway. These sacrifices did not have the restriction of "kodoshai kodoshim" which had to be slaughtered north of the Altar

WATER TRICKLED- A tiny stream of water flowed from the foundation of the Sanctuary westward and out of the azarah by way of the Water Gate. When the Temple was destroyed the tiny stream dried up.

GATE OF YECHONIAH- also called the Spark Gate. King Yechoniah march into exile to Babylonia commenced from this gateway.

WOMEN'S GATE- Women were not permitted in the Courtyard of the Israelites. That was reserved for the men. Women who brought sacrifices would stand in an area in the vicinity of the Women's Gate.

NO NAME- Since these gates were used so infrequently, they had no name by which they were referred.

MISHNAH 1:

THE ALTAR(30) [CONSISTED OF THREE [STONE] PLATFORMS BUILT ONE ATOP THE OTHER. THE BASE] WAS THIRTY-TWO [CUBITS] BY THIRTY-TWO [CUBITS]. IT ROSE UP ONE CUBIT AND WENT IN A CUBIT. THIS [FORMED] THE "YESOD"-FOUNDATION".

WE FIND [THAT THE SECOND PLATFORM WAS] THIRTY [CUBITS] BY THIRTY [CUBITS]. IT ROSE UP FIVE CUBITS AND WENT IN ONE CUBIT. THIS FORMED THE [MIDDLE PLATFORM CALLED] THE SOVEV.

WE FIND [THAT THE UPPER PLATFORM WAS] TWENTY-EIGHT [CUBITS] BY TWENTY-EIGHT [CUBITS]. THE CORNERS EXTENDED A CUBIT IN EACH DIRECTION, THUS LEAVING [AN UPPER SURFACE OF] TWENTY-SIX [CUBITS] BY TWENTY-SIX [CUBITS].

A CUBIT SPACE ON EVERY SIDE WAS FOR THE PRIESTS TO WALK, THUS LEAVING [AN OPEN SPACE OF] TWENTY-FOUR [CUBITS] BY TWENTY-FOUR [CUBITS] AS THE PLACE OF THE WOOD PILE [FOR THE ALTAR FIRE].

REBBE JOSE SAID: ORIGINALLY [DURING IN THE FIRST TEMPLE] THE [BASE WAS ONLY] TWENTY-EIGHT [CUBITS] BY TWENTY-EIGHT [CUBITS]. IT ROSE IN AND UP WITH THE DIMENSIONS [MENTIONED BEFORE]. THEREFORE, YOU FIND THAT THE SPACE LEFT FOR THE WOOD PILE WAS ONLY TWENTY [CUBITS] BY TWENTY [CUBITS].

*WHEN, HOWEVER, THEY RETURNED FROM THE CAPTIVITY, THEY ADDED FOUR CUBITS ON THE NORTH AND FOUR ON THE WEST LIKE A GAMMA. AS IT IS SAID: AND THE ARIEL SHALL BE TWELVE [CUBITS] LONG BY TWELVE [CUBITS] WIDE, SQUARED. I MIGHT [THINK] THAT IT WAS ONLY TWELVE [CUBITS] BY TWELVE [CUBITS]? WHEN IT SAYS, IN THE FOUR SQUARES THEREOF, THIS SHOWS THAT HE WAS MEASURING FROM THE MIDDLE, TWELVE CUBITS IN EVERY DIRECTION. [THUS THE OPEN SPACE WAS TWENTY-FOUR CUBITS BY TWENTY-FOUR CUBITS AS THE PLACE OF THE WOOD PILE FOR THE ALTAR FIRE.

A RED LINE RAN AROUND IT IN THE MIDDLE TO DIVIDE BETWEEN THE BLOOD [THAT HAD TO BE PUT AGAINST THE] UPPER [PORTION OF THE ALTAR] AND BLOOD [THAT HAD TO BE PUT AGAINST THE] LOWER [PORTION OF THE ALTAR].

THE [ROOF OF THE] FOUNDATION RAN THE WHOLE [LENGTH] OF THE NORTH AND OF THE [WHOLE LENGTH OF THE] WEST SIDE, BUT IT WAS MISSING ONE CUBIT ON THE SOUTH AND ONE ON THE EAST.

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THE "YESOD"-FOUNDATION- See Diagram #2 and Diagram #3.

THIRTY-TWO [CUBITS]- As a general rule, the cubits mentioned in these Mishnayos referring to length and width are 6 handbreaths per cubit. The cubits referring to height are 5 handbreaths per cubit.

SOVEV- The word means "around." It was possible to walk completely around the Altar on the roof of the Sovev.

CORNERS- called "k'ranos" in Hebrew, singular is "keren." These were blocks of stone that rose up from each corner. They were hollow inside and were open on top.

TWENTY-SIX- Drawing a box joining the innermost corners of each "keren" would form a square 26 cubits on each side.

PRIESTS TO WALK- Some say this refers to a square trench that was built into the top surface of the Altar. It was 1 cubit wide and 1 cubit deep. The outside length and width of the trench was 26 cubits. Others say it was not a trench but merely a walking area.

THE PLACE OF THE WOOD PILE- See Diagram #4.

GAMMA- "L"-shaped

MISSING ONE CUBIT- See diagram #3.

MISHNAH 2:

AT THE SOUTH-WESTERN CORNER [ON THE ROOF OF THE FOUNDATION] THERE WERE TWO OPENINGS LIKE TWO NARROW NOSTRILS THROUGH WHICH THE BLOOD WHICH WAS POURED ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE FOUNDATION AND ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE FLOWED DOWN TILL THE [TWO STREAMS OF BLOOD] BECAME MINGLED IN THE CHANNEL, THROUGH WHICH THEY MADE THEIR WAY OUT TO THE VALLEY OF KIDRON.

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OPENINGS- drains

WESTERN SIDE OF THE FOUNDATION- The leftover blood of some sacrifices were to be spilled down the western drain; other sacrifices had the leftover blood spilled down the southern drain.

CHANNEL- The blood flowed down the drains and into a water channel that flow by the Altar. The channel was 1 cubit high and 1 cubit across. It was covered over on top. The blood would be carried out of the Temple grounds into the Kidron Valley, which is east of the Temple Mount.

MISHNAH 3:

ON THE FLOORING [OF THE AZARAH] NEAR THAT CORNER THERE WAS A PLACE A CUBIT SQUARE ON WHICH A MARBLE SLAB [WAS PLACED] WITH A RING FIXED IN IT. AND THROUGH THIS THEY USED TO GO DOWN TO THE "SHIS" TO CLEAN IT OUT.

THERE WAS A RAMP(29) ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE ALTAR THIRTY-TWO [CUBITS IN LENGTH] BY SIXTEEN [CUBITS] IN WIDTH. IT HAD A CAVITY IN ITS WESTERN SIDE WHERE REJECTED SIN-OFFERINGS OF BIRDS WERE PLACED.

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"SHIS"- a sewer, that was part of a natural cave located under the Altar. The blood and the water from the channel flowed into the sewer and out into the Kidron Valley. On occasion the sewer became clogged and had to be cleaned out.

THIRTY-TWO [CUBITS IN LENGTH]- the upper surface of the ramp.

CAVITY- a cubicle, each dimension being 1 cubit.

WESTERN SIDE- Some say on the western face of the ramp; others say on the floor of the ramp's upper surface, towards the west.

MISHNAH 4:

THE STONES BOTH OF THE RAMP(29) AND THE ALTAR(30) WERE TAKEN FROM THE VALLEY OF BETH KEREM. THEY DUG [DEEP] INTO VIRGIN SOIL AND BROUGHT FROM THERE WHOLE STONES ON WHICH HAD NEVER BEEN TOUCHED BY IRON, SINCE IRON DISQUALIFIES BY MERE TOUCH. LIKEWISE, [IF THE STONE HAD A] SCRATCH, [MADE] BY ANYTHING, IT WOULD DISQUALIFY.

IF ONE OF THE [STONES THAT WAS ALREADY BUILT INTO THE ALTAR] HAD A SCRATCH, IT WAS DISQUALIFIED, BUT THE REST [OF THE STONES] WERE FIT.

THEY WOULD WHITEWASHED [THE ALTAR] TWICE A YEAR, ONCE FOR PASSOVER AND ONCE FOR SUCCOS, AND THE SANTCTUARY WAS WHITEWASHED ONCE A YEAR, AT PASSOVER. RABBI SAYS: THE [ALTAR] WAS [LIGHTLY] WHITEWASHED EVERY FRIDAY WITH A CLOTH ON ACCOUNT OF THE BLOOD STAINS. THE PLASTER WAS NOT LAID [ONTO THE ALTAR] WITH A TROWEL OF IRON, FOR FEAR THAT [THE TROWEL] MIGHT TOUCH AND DISQUALIFY. IRON WAS CREATED TO SHORTEN MAN'S DAYS AND THE ALTAR WAS CREATED TO PROLONG MAN'S DAYS, AND IT IS NOT RIGHT THEREFORE THAT [IRON] WHICH SHORTENS SHOULD TOUCH THAT WHICH PROLONGS.

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DUG- with wooden tools

DISQUALIFIED- and removed and replaced.

MISHNAH 5:

THERE WERE RINGS(25) TO THE NORTH OF THE ALTAR, SIX ROWS OF FOUR EACH, OR, ACCORDING TO SOME, FOUR ROWS OF SIX EACH. THEY WERE USED TO SLAUGHTER THE SACRIFICIAL ANIMALS. THE BUTCHERING AREA(26) WAS NORTH OF THE ALTAR. THERE WERE EIGHT SHORT PILLARS THERE(27), UPON WHICH WERE BLOCKS OF CEDAR-WOOD. IN THESE WERE SET HOOKS OF IRON, THREE ROWS IN EACH. THEY HUNG [THE CARCASSES] AND FLAYED THEM OVER MARBLE TABLES [WHICH WERE] BETWEEN THE PILLARS.

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RINGS- There were 24 rings, one for each priestly group. The rings were semi-circular hoops the wwere set into the flooring and were able to be swung upward. These were used to hold the heads of the "tamid"-sacrifices steady while they were being slaughtered.

BUTCHERING AREA- where the slaughtered animals were flayed and cut up.

HOOKS OF IRON- to hold up the carcass while it was being flayed

THREE ROWS- There were vertical rows of hooks on each side of the wooden cube, three hooks in each row. The lower hook was used for the smallest animals; the upper hook was used for the largest animals. Some say there were no hooks on the western side of the wooden cube to avoid flaying the carcass with one's back to the Sanctuary.

MISHNAH 6:

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PLATFORM OF FOUR CUBITS- See image.

PLATFORM OF FIVE CUBITS- See image.

MISHNAH 7:

THE DOORWAY OF THE HALL(33) WAS FORTY CUBITS HIGH AND ITS WIDTH WAS TWENTY CUBITS. OVER IT WERE FIVE DECORATIVE WOODEN BEAMS. THE LOWEST PROJECTED A CUBIT ON EACH SIDE BEYOND THE DOORWAY. THE ONE ABOVE PROJECTED BEYOND THIS ONE A CUBIT ON EACH SIDE. THUS THE UPPERMOST ONE WAS THIRTY CUBITS LONG. THERE WAS A ROW OF STONES BETWEEN EACH [BEAM] AND THE NEXT.

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DOORWAY OF THE HALL- This was the only gateway that had no door. A huge decorative curtain hung in the doorway.

MISHNAH 8:

THERE WERE CROSSBEAMS OF CEDAR WOOD SET FROM THE WALL OF THE SANCTUARY TO THE WALL OF THE HALL IN ORDER THAT [THE HIGH WALLS] NOT FALL IN.

THERE WERE CHAINS OF GOLD SET INTO THE CEILING OF THE HALL. YOUNG PRIESTS WOULD CLIMB THEM AND SEE THE DECROATIVE ARCHES [ABOVE THE WINDOWS]. AS IT SAYS, AND THE ARCHES SHALL BE TO CHELEM AND TO TOVIAH AND TO YEDIAH AND TO CHEN THE SON OF TZEPHANIAH AS A MEMORIAL IN THE TEMPLE OF THE L-RD.

A GOLDEN VINE STOOD ABOVE THE DOORWAY OF THE SANCTUARY, SUSPENDED FROM POLES. ANYONE WHO PLEDGED A [GOLDEN] LEAF OR A [GOLDEN] GRAPE OR A CLUSTER USED TO BRING IT AND HANG IT. REBBE ELIEZER SON OF REBBE ZADOK SAID: ON ONE OCCASION THREE HUNDRED PRIESTS WERE COUNTED [IN ORDER TO MOVE IT]

SEE- if any repairs were necessary.

USED TO BRING IT- The donor would give it to a priest who would bring it in.

THREE HUNDRED- meaning- a very large number

MISHNAH 1:

THE DOORWAY OF THE SANCTUARY(34) WAS TWENTY CUBITS HIGH AND TEN WIDE. IT HAD FOUR DOORS, TWO ON THE INNER SIDE [OF THE DOORPOST], AND TWO ON THE OUTER SIDE. AS IT SAYS, THE SANCTUARY AND TEMPLE HAD TWO DOORS.

THE OUTER ONES OPENED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE DOORWAY SO AS TO COVER THE THICKNESS OF THE WALL [OF THE DOORPOSTS], WHILE THE INNER ONES OPENED INTO THE SANCTUARY SO AS TO COVER THE SPACE BEHIND THE DOORS.

THE ENTIRE ROOM WAS PLATED WITH GOLD EXCEPT THE SPACE BEHIND THE DOORS.

REBBE YEHUDAH SAYS: THE DOORS WERE PLACED WITHIN THE DOORWAY. THEY RESEMBLED FOLDING DOORS. FOLDING BACK TO BACK. EACH WAS TWO CUBITS AND A HALF AND HALF A CUBIT OF DOORPOST ON EITHER SIDE. AS IT SAYS: AND THERE WERE TWO DOORS FOR THE DOORS, TWO TURNING DOORS. TWO DOORS FOR ONE AND TWO DOORS FOR THE OTHER.

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TEN WIDE- Its walls were 6 cubits thick. There were two doors at one end of the 6 cubit thick doorway and two doors at the other end of the 6 cubit thick doorway. Each door was 5 cubits wide.

SANCTUARY AND TEMPLE HAD TWO DOORS- The words "Sanctuary and Temple" seem to be redundant since both words refer to the same doorway. The Mishna is explaining that the first set of doors in the doorway are the Sanctuary doors and the second set of doors are the Temple doors.

COVER THE SPACE BEHIND THE DOORS- See diagram #7.

FOLDING BACK TO BACK- See diagram #8.

MISHNAH 2:

THE GREAT DOORWAY HAD TWO SMALL DOORWAYS, ONE TO THE NORTH AND ONE TO THE SOUTH. THE ONE TO THE SOUTH NO MAN EVER WENT IN. CONCERNING THIS IT WAS EXPLAINED THROUGH EZEKIEL, AS IT SAYS, AND THE LORD SAID UNTO ME: THIS GATE SHALL BE SHUT, IT SHALL NOT BE OPENED, NO MAN ENTER IT, FOR HASHEM THE L-RD OF ISRAEL ENTERED THROUGH IT THOUGH IT WAS SHUT.

[THE PRIEST] WOULD TAKE THE KEY AND OPENED THE [NORTHERN] SMALL DOORWAY AND WENT IN TO THE COMPARTMENT. FROM THE COMPARTMENT HE WENT IN TO THE SANCTUARY. REBBE YEHUDAH SAYS: HE USED TO WALK ALONG THROUGH [A PASSAGE] IN THE THICKNESS OF THE WALL UNTIL HE CAME TO THE SPACE BETWEEN THE TWO GATES. HE USED TO OPEN THE OUTER DOORS FROM WITHIN AND THE INNER DOORS FROM WITHOUT.

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GREAT DOORWAY- referring to the doorway of the Santuary(34), not the Hall. Though the doorway of the Hall was much larger than the doorway of the Sanctuary, the doorway to the Sanctuary is called the great doorway because the Sanctuary contained the holiest items of the Temple.

NOT BE OPENED- during the week. It opened by itself on the Sabbath and the New Moon.

THE THICKNESS OF THE WALL- See Diagram #9.

MISHNAH 3:

THERE WERE THIRTY-EIGHT COMPARTMENTS(36) THERE. FIFTEEN ON THE NORTH [WALL OF THE SANCTUARY], FIFTEEN ON THE SOUTH, AND EIGHT ON THE WEST.

ON THE NORTH AND ON THE SOUTH THERE WERE FIVE COMPARTMENTS ON TOP OF FIVE AND FIVE AGAIN ON TOP OF THESE. ON THE WEST THERE WERE THREE ON TOP OF ON TOP OF THREE AND TWO ON TOP OF THESE.

EACH HAD THREE DOORWAYS, ONE [DOORWAY LED] TO THE COMPARTMENT ON THE RIGHT AND ONE [DOORWAY LED] TO THE COMPARTMENT ON THE LEFT AND ONE TO THE COMPARTMENT ABOVE.

IN THE [COMPARTMENT AT THE] NORTHEASTERN CORNER THERE WERE FIVE DOORWAYS, ONE [LED] TO THE COMPARTMENT ON THE RIGHT, ONE [LED] TO THE COMPARTMENT ABOVE, ONE [LED] TO THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE(37), ONE TO THE SMALL DOORWAY [TO THE NORTH OF THE SANCTUARY'S GREAT DOORWAY], AND ONE [DOORWAY LED DIRECTLY INTO] TO THE SANCTUARY.

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THERE- surrounding the Sanctuary

TWO- The Mishna gives no reason why only two compartments were here instead of three.

SPIRAL STAIRCASE- Some say it was a ramp. It led to the roof of the western compartments.

MISHNAH 4:

THE LOWEST STORY COMPARTMENT WAS FIVE CUBITS WIDE WITH A CEILING OF SIX CUBITS. THE MIDDLE STORY COMPARTMENT WAS SIX CUBITS WIDE WITH A CEILING OF SEVEN. THE TOP STORY COMPARTMENT WAS SEVEN CUBITS WIDE. AS IT SAYS, THE LOWEST SIDE CHAMBER WAS FIVE CUBITS WIDE, AND THE MIDDLE WAS SIX CUBITS WIDE, AND THE THIRD WAS SEVEN CUBITS WIDE.

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WIDE- The compartments surrounded the main Sanctuary and were three stories high. The front wall of the chambers was the wall of the main Sanctuary. This wall rose upward 100 cubits. The thickness of the wall varied. It was widest at the base, being 7 cubits thick and narrowed to 5 cubits thick at the top.

At the bottom, where the wall was 7 cubits thick, the adjacent compartment was 5 cubits from front wall to rear. The Sanctuary wall was 6 cubits thick at the level of the second story. The compartment was 6 cubits, from front wall to rear. The chamber gained an extra cubit as the wall narrowed one cubit. At the level of the third story, the Sanctuary wall was 5 cubits thick, allowing for that level of compartments to reach a width of 7 cubits.

The main part of the Sanctuary, the Holy and the Holy of Holies, was two stories high, each story being about 45 cubits in height. Though the compartments surrounding the main Sanctuary were three stories high, the roof of the third story of compartments was on the same level as the floor of the second story of the main Sanctuary. This will be made obvious in the next Mishna. This would imply that the three stories of compartment had a total height of 45 cubits at the very most.

A CEILING OF SIX CUBITS- The floor of the second story chambers, which was the ceiling of the first story chambers, was 6 cubits from front wall to rear.

Maimonides and Bartenura have a very different interpretation of this Mishna.

MISHNAH 5:

A WINDING STAIRCASE(37) WENT UP FROM THE NORTH-EAST CORNER TO THE NORTH-WEST CORNER BY WHICH THEY USED TO ASCEND TO THE ROOFS OF THE COMPARTMENTS(36).

THE DOOR OF THE ATTIC OPENED TO THE SOUTH. NEAR THE DOORWAY OF THE ATTIC WERE TWO BEAMS OF CEDAR BY WHICH THEY USED TO CLIMB UP TO THE ROOF OF THE ATTIC. IN THE ATTIC THERE WERE BEAMS PROTRUDING [FROM THE WALL] SEPARATING THE HOLY FROM THE PROFANE.

THERE WERE TRAP DOORS IN THE ATTIC OPENING INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES BY WHICH THE WORKMEN WERE LOWERED IN BOXES SO THAT THEY SHOULD NOT FEAST THEIR EYES ON THE HOLY OF HOLIES.

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A WINDING STAIRCASE- The lowest story of the northeast compartment had a back door. That door led into an open area which contained a winding staircase which led to the roof of the uppermost story of the northwest compartment. Some say that it was a ramp, not a winding staircase.

ONE ASCENDED- to examine the roof and ceiling of the Sanctuary to determine if any repairs were required. This was done very infrequently.

DOOR OF THE ATTIC- The main Sanctuary, consisting of the Holy and the Holy of Holies, was two stories high. The upper story was called the Attic. Each story was about 45 cubits high. From this Mishna it seems that the roof of the third story of compartments was on the same level as the floor of the attic. One could go from the roof of the southeast compartment through the doorway into the attic.

NEAR THE DOORWAY- Some say the beams were inside the Attic; others say they were outside the Attic.

TWO BEAMS OF CEDAR- with rungs between them, i.e. a ladder. Or possibly two upright parallel beams with niches cut into them to enable on to climb to the roof of the Sanctuary.

BOXES- The box was completely enclosed except for a window-like opening which faced the wall it was being lower against. In that manner the workmen would only be able to see a small area of wall at a time and not feast their eyes on the splendor of the entire Holy of Holies.

MISHNAH 6:

THE SANCTUARY WAS A HUNDRED [CUBITS] BY A HUNDRED WITH A HEIGHT OF A HUNDRED. [THIS IS THE RECKONING OF THE ONE HUNDRED CUBITS OF HEIGHT.] THE FOUNDATION WAS SIX CUBITS [HIGH]. [THE SANCTUARY WALLS] ROSE UP FORTY [CUBITS]. [THERE WAS] A CUBIT [HEIGHT] OF ORNAMENTATION, TWO CUBITS FOR THE BEAMS, A CUBIT OF CEILING AND A CUBIT FOR THE PLASTERING.

THE HEIGHT OF THE ATTIC WAS FORTY CUBITS. THERE [TOO] WAS A CUBIT [HEIGHT] OF ORNAMENTATION, TWO CUBITS FOR THE BEAMS, A CUBIT OF CEILING, AND A CUBIT FOR THE PLASTERING.

THREE CUBITS FOR THE PARAPET AND A CUBIT FOR THE SPIKES. REBBE YEHUDAH SAYS THE SPIKES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE MEASUREMENT, [INSTEAD] THE PARAPET WAS FOUR CUBITS.

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A HUNDRED [CUBITS] BY A HUNDRED- According to most commentaries the north-south length of the Hall in front of the Sanctuary was 100 cubits. The north-south dimension of the Sanctuary itself was only 70 cubits. The east-west length of the building was 100 cubits. According to Maimonidies and Bartenura, even the north-south dimension of the Sanctuary was 100 cubits. See diagrams #.

WITH A HEIGHT OF A HUNDRED- Only the main section of the Sanctuary, the Holy and Holy of Holies, rose up 100 cubits. The other sections of the building were considerably lower.

FOUNDATION- The bedrock of Mount Moriah protruded above the surface of the mountain where the Sanctuary was to be located. It was an uneven and rocky area. In order to have a level flooring upon which to construct the Sanctuary, the area was encased by a 6 cubit high foundation upon which the flooring and the remainder of the structure was built. Only in the Holy of Holies did the bedrock still protrude above the level of the flooring by 3 finger breaths.

Whether the foundation also supported the compartments that surrounded the Sanctuary on three sides or if the compartments were built on the flooring of the Azarah is a matter of dispute among the commentaries.

THERE- referring to the ceiling.

ORNAMENTATION- The ceiling contained exquisite decorative ornamentation. Some say it was deeply engraved wood that was plated with gold. Others maintain that a cubit thick layer of plaster that was deeply engraved covered the ceiling. Still others maintain that the height of the room was actually 41 cubits. Encircling the top of the wall was a decorative strip of molding, 1 cubit high, that seems to support the ceiling.

BEAMS- support beams for the floor above. Some say it was also a holding tank between the floor to contain the runoff water from the roof. The water would then be conducted to the place of the water descent mentioned in the next Mishna.

CEILING- wooden boards that were laid atop the beams. A thick layer of plaster or cement was put on top the wooden boards. Stones tiles were set into the plaster. This was the floor of the Attic.

PARAPET- a fence surrounding the roof of the Sanctuary.

SPIKES- lit. raven-enders. Metal spikes were set into the railing of the parapet to prevent birds from alighting on the roof and soiling the Sanctuary. Some say it was a continuous upright thin sheet of metal.

MISHNAH 7:

FROM EAST TO WEST WAS A HUNDRED CUBITS. [THIS IS THE RECKONING OF THE ONE HUNDRED CUBITS OF LENGTH.] THE [THICKNESS OF THE] WALL OF THE HALL WAS FIVE CUBITS. THE [INTERIOR OF THE] HALL WAS ELEVEN. THE [FRONT] WALL OF THE SANCTUARY WAS SIX CUBITS. THE INTERIOR [OF THE HOLY WAS] FORTY. A CUBIT FOR THE PARTITION [BETWEEN THE HOLY AND THE HOLY OF HOLIES. TWENTY CUBITS FOR [INTERIOR OF THE] HOLY OF HOLIES. THE [BACK] WALL OF THE SANCTUARY WAS SIX CUBITS. THE [INTERIOR OF THE] COMPARTMENT WAS SIX CUBITS. THE [BACK] WALL OF THE COMPARTMENT WAS FIVE.

[THIS IS THE RECKONING OF THE ONE HUNDRED CUBITS OF WIDTH.] FROM NORTH TO SOUTH [MOST OF ITS WIDTH WAS CONTAINED WITHIN] SEVENTY CUBITS. [THIS IS THE RECKONING OF THE SEVENTY CUBITS.] THE WALL OF THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE WAS FIVE CUBITS. THE [WIDTH OF THE] SPIRAL STAIRCASE ITSELF WAS THREE. THE WALL OF THE COMPARTMENT WAS FIVE. THE [INTERIOR OF THE] COMPARTMENT ITSELF SIX. THE WALL OF THE SANCTUARY SIX CUBITS.THE INTERIOR WAS TWENTY. THE [OPPOSITE] WALL OF THE SANCTUARY SIX. THE COMPARTMENT SIX. ITS WALL FIVE. THE PLACE OF THE WATER DESCENT(38) WAS THREE CUBITS [WIDTH]. ITS WALL FIVE CUBITS.

THE HALL EXTENDED BEYOND THIS FIFTEEN CUBITS ON THE NORTH AND FIFTEEN CUBITS ON THE SOUTH. THIS [AREA] WAS CALLED THE KNIFE-HOUSE(49) WHERE THEY USED TO STORE THE [SLAUGHTERERS’] KNIVES.

THUS, THE SANCTUARY WAS NARROW BEHIND AND BROAD IN FRONT, RESEMBLING A LION. AS IT SAYS, OH, ARIEL, ARIEL, THE PLACE WHERE DAVID ENCAMPED. JUST AS A LION IS NARROW BEHIND AND BROAD IN FRONT, SO THE SANCTUARY WAS NARROW BEHIND AND BROAD IN FRONT.

PARTITION- In the First Temple, from the beginning of the Holy to the end of the Holy of Holies was 60 cubits. A wall with a door, one cubit thick separated the two areas. When the Second Temple was built, there was a doubt whether the 1 cubit thick wall was located in the Holy or in the Holy of Holies. They solved the problem by making the distance from the beginning of the Holy to the end of the Holy of Holies 61 cubits in length. A questionable area, 1 cubit wide was marked with two curtains, one a the beginning of the 1 cubit and another at the end.

COMPARTMENT WAS SIX CUBITS- the middle story compartment. The bottom story was 5 cubits wide and the uppermost story was 7 cubits wide.

WATER DESCENT- The runoff rain water was conducted by pipes to a large cistern located on the southern side of the Sanctuary. The cistern was called Place of the water descent.

MISHNAH 1:

THE WHOLE AZARAH(48) COURTYARD WAS ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SEVEN [CUBITS] LONG BY A HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIVE WIDE.

FROM EAST TO WEST IT WAS A HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SEVEN. THE SPACE IN WHICH THE ISRAELITES STEPPED(17) WAS ELEVEN CUBITS. THE SPACE IN WHICH THE PRIESTS STEPPED(18) WAS ELEVEN CUBITS. THE ALTAR(30) [TOOK UP] THIRTY-TWO. BETWEEN THE HALL AND THE ALTAR WAS TWENTY-TWO CUBITS(32). THE SANCTUARY [TOOK UP] A HUNDRED CUBITS, AND THERE WERE ELEVEN CUBITS BEHIND THE SANCTUARY.

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WHOLE AZARAH- excluding the Women's Courtyard.

ISRAELITES STEPPED- Courtyard of the Israelites.

PRIESTS STEPPED- Courtyard of the Priests.

MISHNAH 2:

FROM NORTH TO SOUTH WAS ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIVE [CUBITS]. THE RAMP(29) [OF THE ALTAR] AND THE ALTAR(30) TOOK UP SIXTY-TWO. FROM THE ALTAR TO THE RINGS WAS EIGHT [CUBITS]. THE SPACE THE RINGS(25) [TOOK UP WAS] TWENTY-FOUR [CUBITS]. FROM THE RINGS TO THE TABLES WAS FOUR [CUBITS](26). FROM THE TABLES TO THE DWARF COLUMNS FOUR(27). FROM THE DWARF COLUMNS TO THE [NORTHERN] WALL OF THE AZARAH EIGHT CUBITS, AND THE REMAINDER [OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIVE CUBITS] WAS [ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE SPACES] BETWEEN THE RAMP AND THE [SOUTHERN] WALL [OF THE AZARAH] AND THE SPACE OCCUPIED BY THE DWARF COLUMNS.

MISHNAH 3:

THERE WERE SIX CHAMBERS IN THE AZARAH, THREE ON THE NORTH AND THREE ON THE SOUTH. ON THE NORTH WERE THE SALT CHAMBER(20), THE PARVAH CHAMBER(19) AND THE WASHERS CHAMBER(21). IN THE SALT CHAMBER(20) THEY USED TO KEEP THE SALT FOR THE OFFERINGS. IN THE PARVAH CHAMBER(19) THEY USED TO SALT THE SKINS OF THE SACRIFICES. ON ITS ROOF WAS THE MIKVA USED BY THE HIGH PRIEST ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT. IN THE WASHERS’ CHAMBER(21) THEY USED TO WASH THE SACRIFICAL INNARDS. THERE WAS A SPIRAL STAIRCASE THAT WENT UP [FROM THE WASHERS CHAMBER(21)] TO THE ROOF OF THE PARVAH CHAMBER(19).

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THREE ON THE NORTH- There are differing opinions if these chambers were above ground or below ground.

NORTH- in some editions the reading is South

SALT CHAMBER- Sacrificial meat had to be salted before it was offered. In addition, the skins of the Sacrifices were salted to preserve them and were distributed to the priests.

PARVAH CHAMBER- named after the one who constructed the chamber. A mikva was located on the roof. It was supplied by water from the fountain of Eitam to the south of the Temple Mount. Its waters were conducted through pipes to the mikva. Some say it was through supernatural means that were known to Parvah. Parvah secretly constructed a tunnel under this chamber. He was attempting to make a secret entrance into the Holy of Holies so he could observe the High Priest on Day of Atonement. Parvah was caught in the act and sentenced to death.

MISHNAH 4:

ON THE SOUTH WERE THE WOOD ROOM(22), THE CHAMBER OF THE WHEEL(23) AND THE CHAMBER OF HEWN STONES(24). WITH REGARD TO THE WOOD CHAMBER(22), REBBE ELIEZER BEN YAKOV SAYS: I FORGET WHAT IT WAS USED FOR. ABBA SAUL SAYS: [IT WAS] THE CHAMBER OF THE HIGH PRIEST. IT WAS BEHIND TWO OF THEM, [NAMELY THE CHAMBER OF THE WHEEL(23) AND THE CHAMBER OF HEWN STONE(24). THE ROOF [OF ALL THREE CHAMBERS] ONE [LEVEL]. [IN] THE CHAMBER OF THE WHEEL(23) THERE WAS A PERMENANT CISTERN WITH A WHEEL OVER IT. FROM THERE WATER WAS SUPPLIED FOR ALL THE AZARAH. [IN] THE CHAMBER OF HEWN STONE(24) THE GREAT SANHEDRIN OF ISRAEL USED TO SIT AND JUDGE [MATTERS RELATING TO] THE PRIESTHOOD. A PRIEST IN WHOM WAS FOUND A DISQUALIFICATION USED TO PUT ON BLACK GARMENTS AND WRAP HIMSELF IN BLACK AND HE WOULD GO OUT [OF THE AZARAH]. ONE IN WHOM NO DISQUALIFICATION WAS FOUND USED TO PUT ON WHITE GARMENTS AND WRAP HIMSELF IN WHITE AND HE WOULD GO IN [THE AZARAH] AND SERVE ALONG WITH HIS BROTHER PRIESTS. THEY USED TO MAKE [HE WOULD MAKE] A FEAST BECAUSE NO BLEMISH HAD BEEN FOUND IN THE SEED OF AARON THE PRIEST. THEY USED TO SAY THUS: BLESSED IS THE OMNIPRESENT, BLESSED IS HE, FOR NO BLEMISH HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE SEED OF AARON. BLESSED IS HE WHO CHOSE AARON AND HIS SONS TO STAND TO SERVE BEFORE THE LORD IN THE PLACE OF THE HOLY OF HOLIES.

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SOUTH- in some editions the reading is South.

WOOD ROOM- not to be confused with the Wood Chamber. This room was the Temple quarters of the High Priest, also called Palhedrion Room, a Greek word meaning an official. The quarters were primarily occupied during the week prior to the Day of Atonement when the High Priest underwent an intense rehearsal for the Yom Kipper service.

Though the other buildings on the Temple Mount were constructed from stone, this chamber was made of wood. Wood is not a durable material. These priestly chambers were made of wood to show the possibility that he tenure may be temporary and he should not pride himself in his position. Other commentaries say it was called Wood Chamber on account of the hugh wooden closets that were in the room for storing the High Priest's garments. The chamber was built outside the Azarah in order to allow the High Priest to sleep in his quarters. Within the Azarah courtyard, even sitting was not permitted.

CHAMBER OF THE WHEEL- explained later in the Mishna. Some say it was called Chamber of the Exiles. Accordingly the Hebrew pronunciation would be Lishkas HaGoleh. According to the first reading it would be pronounced Lishkas HaGuleh.

HEWN STONES- The chamber of the Sanhedron, the Supreme Court of the land. This building was located partially outside the Azarah in order to allow the judges to be seated when court was in session.

BEHIND TWO OF THEM- It was hidden from view from within the Azarah. The chamber was located in a corner formed by the Chamber of the Hewn Stones and the Chamber of the wheel. See diagram.

ONE [LEVEL]- as opposed to the 3 chambers mentioned in the last Mishna. In that Mishna the middle chamber was higher than the outer two because of the Mikva which was located on its roof.

WHEEL OVER IT- The wheel had a crank with which to turn the wheel. A rope was attached to the wheel and buckets were attached to the rope. By turning the crank one could lower or raise the buckets to draw water.

DISQUALIFICATION- a blemish or a disqualifying factor in geneology.

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