Written Articles

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Key locations around the Azarah are the Beit Avtinas (on the southeastern corner of the Azarah, where the quarters for the Kohen Gadol were situated within, the Parbar, behind the Temple building where the korbanot (sacrifices) of the Kohanim were separated until offered, the Altar and Slaughter House, and the Beit haNitzotz where chambers were located that related to the offerings. Also key was the Beit haMokeid where the Kohanim where quartered while performing their service of the Mishmar (Course or Division).

The fourth chapter of Hilchot Beit haBechirah by Rambam describes the Temple building while Chapter Five lists the structures of the Azarah or Inner courtyard. In this Rambam mostly follows the information provided in Middot of the Mishnah. Several areas of his commentary need to be amended to provide a better view of the Azarah. 1) There are additional structures …

From the various texts of the Tanach, Mishnah, Tosefta, Talmud Bavli, and Talmud Yerushalmi, Rambam has collected the assorted halachot of the Altar in a concise presentation. These are found in Chapter Two of Hilchot Beti haBechirah of the Mishneh Torah. This illustration allows you to see the Altar from different points of view allowing you to understand the halachot.

The daily service of the Temple was described in the Tractate Tamid of the Mishnah. Complimenting this account is the Tractate Yoma. These pictures joined with the Gallery from a tour of the Temple will aid the student in understanding how the ceremony progressed.

There are four current theories. What are they? The four theories are: The northern theory. That the Temple building, (specifically that the Kodesh haKodashim - Holy of Holies) was located on the Moslem Platform north of the Dome of the Rock where the Dome of the Spirits is located. This theory is put forth by Asher Kaufman. This theory will …