Hilchos Bais Habechiroh 5776 - Aleph Institute · • Jewish Year 5776: sunset August 13,...

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Aleph Institute • N.E. Regional Headquarters • 5804 Beacon Street • Pittsburgh, PA 15217-2004 phone: 412.421.0111 • fax: 412.521.5948 • www.alephne.org

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HILCHOS BAIS HABECHIROH

5776-2016

ב"ה

INTRODUCTION TO

HILCHOS BAIS HABECHIROH

Dear Student,

Welcome to the Hilchos Bais HaBechiroh Torah Studies course!

This short certificate course is intended to be studied during the three weeks of mourning, which begin on the 17th of Tammuz (a day on which the outer city wall of Jerusalem was breached) and end on the 9th of Av (the date of the destruction of the Holy Temple). It is said that each generation, which does not witness the rebuilding of Bais HaMikdosh (the Holy Temple) should consider itself witnessing its destruction. Learning the laws pertaining to the Beis HaMikdosh is what we can do to deal with this tremendous loss we experience, which ushered the era of a centuries-long exile.

The course consists of two parts, titled “Tisha B’Av” and “Hilchos Bais Habechiroh” Tisha B’Av explains the nature of the day and the laws associated with its observance. Hilchos Bais Habechiroh describes in detail the structure and appearance of the Bais Hamikdosh and laws pertaining to it. The course comes with a set of questionnaires – 6 sheets in total – which include one sheet for Tisha B’Av and 5 for Bilchos Bais HaBechiroh. Please study the material provided, complete and return the worksheets to the Aleph Institute for grading and prepare yourself for the exam. Your closed-book exam will consist of a selection of 20 questions from the worksheets. Please make sure to obtain a proctor who would administer the exam for you. Upon your passing of the exam with a grade of 70% or higher the Aleph Institute will issue for you a certificate of course completion with your name. P.S. Please note that in order to enroll in the course we have to have your information on file. If you are not currently a member of the Aleph Institute, you must submit a completed membership application (see attached) with at least one working phone number for a family member or rabbi who could confirm your Jewish background. We must have your completed application for enrollment. If you are already a member you may disregard the application. Sincerely, Devorah Stern Torah Studies Program Coordinator

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If you are not a member of the Aleph Institute please complete all forms

(pages 3-5)

If you are currently a member of the Aleph Institute Please only complete forms on pages 4-5

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TorahStudies:TishaB’Av

ב"ה

TishaB'Av(Hebrew:באבתשעה),ortheNinthofAv,isanannualfastdaythatfallsinJulyorAugust.Itsnamedenotestheninthday(Tisha)oftheJewishmonthofAv.Thedayhasbeencalledthe"saddestdayinJewishhistory".WhentheninthofAvfallsontheShabbat,theobservanceispushedoffuntilSundaythetenth(althoughthatdayisstillreferredtoasTishaB'Av).

Tisha B'Av will occur on the following days of the Gregorian calendar:

• JewishYear5776:sunsetAugust13,2016-nightfallAugust14,2016• JewishYear5777:sunsetJuly31,2017-nightfallAugust1,2017

DestructionoftheTempleThefastcommemoratesthedestructionoftheFirstandSecondJewishHolyTemples.Thetwotragiceventsoccurred656yearsapartonthesamedate.InconnectionwiththefallofJerusalem,threeotherfast-dayswereestablishedatthesametimeastheNinthDayofAv:theseweretheTenthofTevet,whenthesiegebegan;theSeventeenthofTammuz,whenthefirstbreachwasmadeinthewall;andtheThirdofTishrei,knownastheFastofGedaliah,thedaywhenGedaliahwasassassinated.TheFiveCalamitiesAccordingtotheMishnah(Taanit4:6),fivespecificeventsoccurredontheninthofAvthatwarrantfasting:

1. ThetwelvescoutssentbyMosestoobservethelandofCanaanreturnedfromtheirmission.Twoofthescouts,JoshuaandCaleb,broughtapositivereport,buttheothersspokedisparaginglyaboutthelandwhichcausedtheChildrenofIsraeltocry,panicanddespairofeverenteringtheLand.Forthis,thespieswerepunishedimmediatelybyG-d,andtherestofthegenerationwasbannedfromenteringtheLand.BecauseoftheIsraelites'lackoffaith,G-ddecreedthatforallgenerationsthisdatewouldbecomeoneofcryingandmisfortunefortheirdescendants.

2. TheFirstTemplebuiltbyKingSolomonandtheKingdomofJudahweredestroyedbytheBabyloniansledbyNebuchadnezzarin586BCEandtheinhabitantsweresentintotheBabylonianexile.

3. TheSecondTemplewasdestroyedbytheRomansin70CE,scatteringtheinhabitantsandcommencingtheJewishexilefromtheHolyLand.

4. ShimonBarKochba'srevoltagainstRomefailedin135CE.Asaresult,BarKochbawaskilled,andthecityofBetardestroyed.

5. FollowingtheRomansiegeofJerusalem,therazingofJerusalemoccurredthenextyear.AccordingtotheTalmudintractateTaanit,thedestructionoftheSecondTemplebeganontheninthandwasfinallyconsumedbytheflamesthenextdayontheTenthofAv.Fivemisfortunesbefellourfathers...ontheninthofAv....OntheninthofAvitwasdecreedthatourfathersshouldnotenterthe[Promised]Land,theTemplewasdestroyedthefirstandsecondtime,Betarwascapturedandthecity[Jerusalem]wasploughedup.-MishnahTa'anit4:6

ב"ה

...ShouldIweepinthefifthmonth[Av],separatingmyself,asIhavedonethesesomanyyears?-Zechariah7:3Inthefifthmonth,ontheseventhdayofthemonth...cameNebuzaradan...andheburntthehouseoftheHaShem...-IIKings25:8-9Inthefifthmonth,onthetenthdayofthemonth...cameNebuzaradan...andheburntthehouseoftheHaShem...-Jeremiah52:12-13

How then are these dates to be reconciled? On the seventh the heathens entered the Temple and ate therein and desecrated it throughout the seventh and eighth and towards dusk of the ninth they set fire to it and it continued to burn the whole of that day. ... How will the Rabbis then [explain the choice of the 9th as the date]? The beginning of any misfortune [when the fire was set] is of greater moment. -Talmud Ta'anit 29a

OthercalamitiesOvertimeTishaB'AvhascometobeaJewishdayofmourningnotonlyforthementionedevents,butalsoforlatertragedies.ThereisacustomofassigningTishaB'AvasthedateonwhichwarsaffectingJewsbeganorexpulsionsandpersecutionsofJewsoccurred.Regardlessoftheexactdatesoftheseevents,formanyJews,TishaB'Avistheirdesignatedanniversary,andthesethemesarereflectedinliturgycomposedfortheday.RestrictionsTishab'AvstartsatsundownoftheeighthofAvandlaststillthefollowingnightfall.OnTishab'Avweabstainfrom:

• Eatinganddrinking.Anyoneoverbar/batmitzvahfasts,includingpregnantandnursingwomen.Exceptionsaremadeincaseofillness.Rabbishouldbeconsulted.

• Bathingorwashing.Exceptionsaremadeforsoiledhands,uponexitingtherestroom,andforthemorningritualhand-washing(however,thisdayonlythefingersretobewashed)

• Applyinglotionsorcreams• Wearingshoesthatcontainleather• Maritalrelations• RegularTorahstudy.ProhibitionbeginsontheeveofTishaB’Av

Nothingshoulddistractfromthemourning:Donotgreetafriendwith"hi"or"goodmorning."Donotgoonstrollsoroutings.Ifpossible,takethedayoffwork.ScheduleLeadinguptoTishab'Av:Eatthefinalmealshortlybeforesunset.Ameagermeal,whichincludesaboiledegg,atraditionalsymbolofmourning,andapieceofbread,dippedinashes.Eatthemealwhileseatedonthefloororalowstool.(Tip:Haveafullmealearlieron,inpreparationforthefast.)Tishab'AvNight:

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Finisheatingbysunset.ThelightsaredimmedinthesynagogueandtheArk'scurtainremoved.TheBookofLamentationsisreadaftertheeveningprayers.Tishab’AvDay:Notallitortefillinforthemorningprayers.AftertheprayerswereciteKinot(elegies).Wedonthetallitandtefillinfortheafternoonprayers.Afternightfall,beforebreakingthefast,werituallywashourhands.NotesonrestrictionsTorahstudyisforbiddenonTishaB'av(asitisconsideredanenjoyableactivity),exceptforsadtextssuchastheBookofLamentations,theBookofJob,portionsofJeremiahandchaptersoftheTalmudthatdiscussthelawsofmourning.Fromthemealimmediatelybeforethefastuntilnoonthenextday,itiscustomarytositonlowstoolsoronthefloor,asisdoneduringshiva.Ifpossible,workisavoidedduringthisperiod.Electriclightingmaybeturnedoffordimmed,andkinotrecitedbycandle-light.Somesleeponthefloorormodifytheirnormalsleepingroutine,bysleepingwithoutapillow,forinstance.Peoplerefrainfromgreetingeachotherorsendinggiftsonthisday.OldprayerbooksandTorahsareoftenburiedonthisday.CustomsduringthedaysprecedingandfollowingTishaB'avThedaysleadinguptoTishaB'AvareknownasTheNineDays.Werefrainfromeatingmeatduringallorpartofthisperiod,andsomerefrainfrompleasurableactivitiessuchasgoingtomusicconcertsorswimming.InthethreeweeksbeforeTishaB'Av,wedonotcutthehairorshave.Weddingsarenotheldduringthisperiod.Althoughthefastendsatnightfall,itiscustomarytorefrainfromeatingmeatanddrinkingwineuntilnoonofthefollowingday.Accordingtotradition,theTempleburnedallnightandmostofthedayofthetenthofAv.ThelawsofTishaB'AvarerecordedintheShulkhanArukh(the"CodeofJewishLaw")OrachChayim.ServicesThescrollofEicha(Lamentations)isreadinsynagogueduringtheeveningservices.Inaddition,mostofthemorningisspentchantingorreadingKinnot,mostbewailingthelossoftheTemplesandthesubsequentpersecutions,butmanyothersreferringtopost-exiledisasters.Theselaterkinnotwerecomposedbyvariouspoets(oftenprominentrabbis)whohadeithersufferedintheeventsmentionedorrelatereceivedreports.ImportantkinnotwerecomposedbyElazarha-KalirandRabbiJudahha-Levi.AftertheHolocaust,kinnotwerecomposedbytheGerman-bornRabbiShimonSchwab(in1959,attherequestofRabbiJosephBreuer)andbyRabbiSolomonHalberstam,leaderoftheBobovHasidim(in1984).InmanySephardiccongregationstheBookofJobisreadonthemorningofTishaB'Av.

ב"ה

FromtheashesofthedestroyedTemplewillriseanincomparablymagnificentedifice.Exilewillgive

birthtoredemption.ItisatraditionthatourredeemerwillbebornonTishaB'Av.Itisadayofanticipationandhope.

“OnewhomournsJerusalemwillmeritseeingherhappiness.”

LAWSOFTHEHOLYTEMPLE

TheLubavitcherRebbe,RabbiMenachemM.Schneersonofsaintedandblessedmemory,instructedthatwelearnthelawspertainingtoourHolyTempleduringthemourningperiodofthedestructionof

theTemple,betweenthe17thofTammuz-9thofAv

(July23rd–August13thof2016).

HarHabayit-TheTempleMount

AtthetimeofKingSolomonthismountainwas500x500cubits.Ithad4pointsofentry:

South-TwoChuldahgates. West-TheKiphonusgate. North-TheTadigate.

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East-TheShushangate. KingHerodextendedtheTempleMountareaandadded3additionalgatestoitswesternside.ThefocalpointoftheTempleMountwasacentralcourtyardcontainingthestructureoftheBetHamikdash.TherestoftheTempleMountareacontainedvariousroomsandbuildings,including:

·HouseofStudy,inwhichtheTalmudiclawwastaughtanddiscussed.·LoungeforminorTempleofficials.·Weaponsroom,incaseofenemyinvasion. ·Toolroomforrepairwork. ·Trumpetplace.Theshofar(ram'shorn)wassoundedfromtheroofofthisbuildingbeforetheonsetoftheSabbathtoletthepeopleknowwhentheymustrefrainfromwork.

ChuldahGates(South)

ThesewerethemaindoorwaysusedtoaccesstheTemplemount,onegatewasusedastheentrance,whiletheothergateservedasanexit.TheProphetessChuldah,wouldsitnearthisareaduringthefinalyearsofthefirstTemple,admonishingJewishwomentogiveuptheiridolatrousways.WhentheSecondTemplewasbuilt,thesegatewayswerenamedafterher.

KiphonusGate(West)

ThisgatetookthevisitorthroughatunnelwhichledtothetopoftheTempleMount.NeartheoutsideofthegatewaywasamagnificentgardenwithmanytypesofrosesusedinthecompoundingoftheTempleincense.HencethenameKiphonus–“rosegarden”inGreek.

TadiGate(North)

AlltheTemplegatewayssharedthesamebasicrectangulardesign.The Tadigate,however,hadauniquetriangularshape.ThenameTadicomesfromtheGreekwordmeaning"high".Theangleformedatthetopmadethisdoorwayhigherortallerthantheothers.

ShushanGate(East)

TheEasternTempleWallhadonegatewaycalledtheShushanGate.ThePersianemperorDariusII,thechildofAchashveroshandEsther(Xerxes),gavetheJewspermissiontorebuildtheSecondTemple.Asatokenofindebtedness(orattheinsistenceoftheemperor),theJewsplacedacarvingofthecityofShushan,thecapitalofthePersianEmpire,abovethegateway.EngravedontothewalloutsidetheShushanGateweretwomarkingsindicatingthelengthofacubit.

ב"ה

Onemarkingwastotherightofthegateway,onetotheleft.Themarkingonthewalltotherightwashalfa"fingers'width"(etzbah)smallerthanatruecubit.Themarkingontheleftwallwasafull"fingers'width"largerthanatruecubit.Workers,whowerepaidinlengthsofwood,werepaidaccordingtothesmallermarker.Workershiredtocutacertainlengthofwoodwouldmeasureitaccordingtothelargermarking.WhoeverpledgedalengthofinexpensivematerialtotheTemplewouldmeasureitaccordingtothelargermarking,whilethosewhopledgedalengthofexpensivematerial,suchasapreciousmetal,wouldusethesmallermarker.

TheEzratNashim-TheWomen'sCourtyard

This courtyard contained a balcony reserved for women - hence its name - the women's courtyard.Chamberswerebuiltinthefourcornersofthiscourtyardforvarioustempleneeds:

• LishkatHanezirim-ChamberoftheNazarites;• LishkatHa'eitzim-ChamberoftheWood;• LishkatHametzora'im-ChamberoftheMetzorah's;• LishkatHashemanim-ChamberofOils

Women'sBalcony

AgallerywasresevedhereforwomenwhocametoviewtheSimchatBetHasho'eva(RejoicingoftheWaterDrawingCeremony)whichwasheldinthiscourtyardduringthefestivalofSuccot.TotheNorthandSouthoftheEzratNashim(women'scourtyard)werestairwaysleadingtotheWomen'sBalcony.

Originally, thewomenassembled in thecourtyardandthemendancedandsangoutside,beyondtheCheil.

SincethewomenwereunabletohaveagoodviewfrominsidetheWomen'sCourtyard,theywouldpassbeyondthedoorsintothearea.Theminglingofmenandwomenduringasacredcelebrationisnotpermitted.Toremedythesituation,balconieswereerectedtoprovideaviewingareaforthewomen.

LishkatHanezirim-ChamberoftheNazarites

ANazariteisonewhotakesanoaththathewillnotcuthishairordrinkwine(oranygrapeproduct)fora specified amount of time. The Torah requires aNazarite to bring 3 Karbanot (sacrifices) to the BetHamikdashafterfulfillinghispledge.Oneofthesesacrifices,the"Shelamim"offeringwascookedinthischamber. TheNazarites then had their hair clippings tossed into the fire overwhich the "Shelamim"offeringwascooking.

LishkatHa'eitzim-ChamberoftheWood

ב"ה

TheLumberusedfortheserviceoftheBetHamikdash(i.e.forthealtarandthe"BeisHamoked")wasstoredinthisroom.Inaddition,elderlypriest(orpriestsotherwiseunfitforthetempleservice)wouldexaminethewoodforwormshere.Ifanywerefound,thewoodwouldbedeemedunfitfortempleuse.[Rottingwoodwouldalsobedisposedof.]TheTalmudrecordsthefollowingincident:ItoncehappenedthatpriestsweresittingandsortingwoodinthisChamber,whenoneofthemnoticedthatafloortilewas loose.Herealizedthatthis ledtothesecrettunnelinwhichtheHolyArkwashidden.[TheArkhadbeenhiddenduringthetimeofYeshayahu(Isaiah)towardstheendoftheFirstTempleera.WhentheJewsreturnedfromtheseventy-yearexile,theArkcouldnotbefound.TraditionsaysthattherewastobenoArkduringtheSecondTempleera.]The priest, who had discovered the hidden place of the Ark, sought to crack open the tile with hishatchet,whensuddenly fire issued forthandconsumedhim.Thiswas takenasanomenthat theArkshouldremainhidden.

LishkatHashemanim-ChamberoftheOils

Inthischambertheoil,wine,andflourneededforsacrificialpurposeswerestored.Whenonewantedtoofferasacrificethatrequiredtheseingredients,hewasrequiredtobuythemhere.ThepurchaserwouldfirstgototheChamberofReceipts.Hewouldtelltheattendantthetypeofmealofferingheneeded.Afterpayingforit,theattendantwouldhandoverareceiptlistinghispurchases.The receipt would be taken to this chamber and the attendant here would dispense the requiredamountsofoil,wine,andflour.

LishkatHaMetzora'im-ChamberofMetzorah'sA Metzorah is someone who suffers from Tzara'at (similar to the modern day leprosy) - an illness,inflictedbyG-dasapunishmentforcertainmisdeeds.AftertheMetzorahwascured,hewasrequiredtocometotheBetHamikdashandimmersehimselfinaritual bath situated in this room. Afterwards he would bring sacrifices that would complete thepurificationprocess.

Sha'arNikanor-NikanorGate

The Nikanor Gates led from the Ezrat Nashim to the Azarah. At the western end of the Women'sCourtyardwerefifteensemi-circularsteps.Eachwashalfacubithighandhalfacubitdeep.Onoccasion,theLevitessangastheystoodonthesesteps.

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Nearthebaseofthesteps,builtintothewesternwalloftheWomen'sCourtyard,weretwodoorsthatledunderneaththeAzarah,whichwasbuiltonhighergroundthantheWomen'sCourtyard.ThedoorsledintoasinglelargeundergroundchambercalledtheChamberofInstruments.HeretheLevitesconductedchoirrehearsalsandstoredtheirinstruments.Thedoorwayatopthefifteensemi-circularstepsledintotheAzarah.ThefirstelevencubitsalongtheeasternsideoftheAzarahwascalledtheCourtyardoftheIsraelites.ThegatewayatopthefifteenstepsthatledintotheCourtyardoftheIsraeliteswerecalledtheUpperGate,alsoknownastheNikanorGate.NikanorwasthebenefactorwhopaidcraftsmeninAlexandria,Egypt,tofashionthetwolargebrassdoorsusedforthisgate.Eachdoorwas5cubitsby20cubits.Thebrasswascarvedwithintricatedesigns,anditsfinishwasexceedinglybright.

TheStory

AsthesedoorswerebeingsentbyshipfromEgypttoJudea,astormbrokeout.Thecrewwasforcedtocastoneofthetwobrassdoorsintothesea.Whenthedangercontinued,thecrewdecidedtotossthesecond gate out aswell. Hearing their plans, Nikanor declared that if they throw out the door, theyshouldthrowhimoutaswell.Hisself-sacrificecalledforamiracleandthestormsubsided.Whentheshipdocked,thedoorcastoverboardwasmiraculouslyfoundfloatingintheharbor.AlltheTempledoorswereplatedwithgoldexcepttheNikanorgate.Therabbiswantedthepeopletoseethe"miracledoors"intheirpristineform.Additionally,thebrassfinishhadtheappearanceoffinegold.The heavy doors required twenty men to open them. The Nikanor Gate was opened only on theSabbath,festivals,andRoshChodesh.IfthekingwaspresentintheTemple,thedoorswerealsoopenedinhishonor.Onallotherdays,smallergateways(totheleftandrightofNikanorgate)wereused.

NorthernChambers

Thisroofedbuildingcontained3separatechambers:

1. LishkatHagazit-ChamberofHewedStone

ThischamberbuiltwithhewedstoneservedastheSupremeCourt.SinceitwasforbiddentositintheAzarah,thebuildingwasbuilthalfwayintheAzarahandhalfwayintheCheil,andhadentrancesfrombothsides.HalfofthebuildingwasbuiltoutsidetheAzarahwherethejudgeswouldbeallowedtosit.

2. LishkatHagolah-TheChamberoftheWell

ב"ה

Awaterwheel located in this chamber supplied a quick drink for the thirsty Kohanim. The Jewswhocamefromtheexile(Golah)dugthiswell.

3. LishkatParhedrin-ChamberoftheHighPriest(KohenGadol)

SevendaysbeforeYomKippur,theHighPriestwouldleavehismansionandfamilyintheuppercityandtakeupresidence in thischamber.Hewouldbe instructed in theYomKippurserviceby theSupremeCourtmembersandbythepriestlyscholars.Parhedrinweregovernmentofficialsappointedfor1-yearterms.Thisroomwassonamedbecauseduringmostofthe2ndTempleera,theHighPriestwhoresidedinthisroomwaschangedfromyeartoyear.

SouthernChambersThisbuildingcomplexalsoconsistedofthreechambers:

1. LishkatHamelach-TheSaltChamber

ThischamberwasusedtostoreandpreparethesaltnecessaryfortheKorbanot(sacrifices).ItwasnecessarytosprinklesaltonalltheKorbanotofferedontheAltar.TheywouldalsosprinkletheRamptotheAltarwithsalttopreventslipperinessonrainydays.

2. LishkatHaparvah-TheParvahChamber

Here theywouldsaltandprocess theanimalhidesof theKorbanot.On the roofwasaMikvah (ritualbath)constructedfortheexclusiveuseoftheHighPriestonYomKippur.Somesaythatthemanwhobuilt this chamber dug a tunnel beneath the Kodesh Hakodashim (Holy of Holies) so that he couldobservetheHighPriest'sservices thereonYomKippur.Whenhewasdiscovered,hewasexecuted inthischamber,whichwaslaternamedafterhim.

3. LishkatHamadichin-theRinser'schamberHere they would rinse and clean the internal organs of the Korbanot. Although these animals wereoffered on the Altar - and not meant for human consumption, they were nevertheless rinsed andcleanedasagestureofrespectandreverencetoG-d.

Mizbe'achHa'Chitzon-TheGreatAltar

ThisAltar servedavarietyofuses.The topwasused toburn thevarious sacrificesoffered in theBetHamikdash. The walls of the Mizbe'ach were used for the "Zerikat HaDam" (sprinkling the blood ofcertainsacrifices)asestablishedbytheTorah.Itwasaccessedbyaseriesoframps,builtonitssouthernside.

ב"ה

TheAltarwasmadeofsmallstones,lime,pitch,andglazing.Thestoneswereperfectlysmooth,withnonicks or scratches that could be detected with the thumbnail. These stones were never touched bymetal,becausemetalisbelievedtoshortenthelifeofman,andtheAltarrepresentsthelengtheningoflife.TheOuterMizbe'achconsistedofthreeplatformsstackedtoformasquarepyramid.TothesouthoftheMizbe'achstoodalargeramp,whichenabledtheKohanim(priests)toascendtotheAltar'sroof.TherewerealsotwosmallerrampsthatledtoaledgewhichsurroundedtheAltar.ThisledgewascalledtheSovev-"around"asitwaspossibletocircletheAltarusingthisledge.(Theadditionalledgelowerdown,didnotcompletelysurroundtheAltar)

TheRedLine

ThebloodofcertainsacrificeswasspilledontheupperpartoftheAltar'swall,whilethebloodoftheothersacrificeswaspouredontothelowerhalf.Toseparatethetwolevels,aredband(ChutHasikrahinHebrew),surroundedtheMizbe'achatmid-height.Tofurtheremphasizethisborder,therewasafloraldesignabovetheredline.Ontopofthesouthwesterncorneroftheyesod,thebase,twodrainswerecarved.Thebloodremainingfromthe'spillingoftheblood'servicewaspouredintothesedrains.

MakomHama'aracha-ThePlaceofArrangement

ThreestacksoflumberwerearrangedontheAltar'splatform:• TheLargeArrangement-usedforburningtheanimalsacrifices.• FuelfortheburningoftheKetoret,offeredtwicedailyonthesmallMizbe'ach(Mizbe'ach

Hazahav).• WoodlitbytheKohanimtoperformtheMitzvahofignitingtheAltareverymorning.

Inthecenteroftheplatformwasalargepileofashthataccumulatedfromtheremainsofsacrifices.Itwascalled'theApple'becauseofitsfruit-likeappearance.TheCornerstones

TheAltarhadfourcornerstoneswhichwerehollowandopentothetop.Theirdimensionswereanamahbyanamah,andfivetefachimhigh.Therewerealsotwobasinsbuiltontothesouthwesternportionoftheplatform.TheywereusedonthefestivalofSuccotfortheWaterDrawingceremony.TheButcheringAreaNorth of the Altar was the Butchering Place where the sacrificial animals were slaughtered andbutchered.Itincluded:TheEightColumns

ב"ה

InthenorthernsectionoftheButcheringPlacewereeightsmallcolumns.Restingoneachcolumnwasablockofcedarwoodwithninehooksattachedtoit.Theslaughteredcarcassofthesacrificialanimalwashungonthesehooksinordertoremovetheskinandbutchertheanimal.Thehooksweresetintothenorthernsideofthewood,threeontheeasternside,andthreeonthesouthernside.Therewerenohooksonthewesternside,sothatthepriestdidnothavetoturnhisbacktotheHolyofHoliesashewasbutcheringtheanimal.TheEightTablesNearbywereeighttablesthatservedseveralpurposes.Themeatwaswashedonthesetablesbeforeitwascookedandeatenbythepriests.TheanimalpartsofferedontheAltaralsohadtobewashed.Thetableskeptthecarcassfromtouchingthegroundasitwasbeingbutchered.Thesetablescouldfoldsotheycouldbemovedaroundasneeded.TheTwenty-fourHoopsNorthoftheAltarweretwenty-fourhoopsset intotheground.DuringtheearlieryearsoftheSecondTemple, the priest would make a slit in the animal's forehead before slaughtering it. The painlessincisioncausedbloodtoflow,distractingtheanimal.TheHighPriestYochananabolishedthepractice,lestitmightbethoughtthattheslitconstitutedablemishandtheTemplewasofferingblemishedanimals.Hedecreedthathoopsbesetintotheground,andtheanimal'sheadbeinsertedtokeepitsteady

ShaarHamayim-WaterGate,anditsadjacentchambers

DuringthefestivalofSukkot,theKohanimdrewwaterfromtheShiloachBrook,andbroughtitthroughthisgateway.Thewatergatewasopenonlyduringthefestival.

Mikvah-TheRitualBath

Abovethewatergatewasamikvah.Itwasusedonlyonceayear,bytheHighPriestonYomKippur.OnthatHolyDay,theHighPriestimmersedhimselffivetimesinamikvah.Thefirstimmersionwasdonehere.Thismikvahabovethewatergate,mayalsohavecontributedtotheGate'sname.

ThewatergatetookitsnameaswellfromthenarrowstreamofwaterthatflowedfrombeneaththefoundationsoftheHeichal,acrossthecourtyard,andoutthroughtheWaterGate.

LishkatAvtinus-TheAvtinusChamber

Totherightofthisgateway(insidetheAzarah)wasachambercalledtheLishkatAvtinus.Inthisroom,theincensethatwasofferedonthegoldenAltarwascompounded.Thechamberwasnamedafteran

ב"ה

illustriousfamilyofspicemakers.Theyknewofacertainingredient,which,whenaddedtotheincense,madethesmokeriseinastraightcolumn.Theyrefusedtodivulgethenameofthisingredientlestothersuseitforidolworship.

DuringtheSecondTempleperiod,theHighPriesthoodwasapoliticalappointmentbasedonreasonsotherthanmerit.OftenthepriestwasunabletoreadHebrew.ItwasinthisChamberofAvtinusthathewastaughthowtopresentthespecialYomKippurincenseoffering,whichwasburntintheHolyofHolies.InAdditiontotheWaterGate,theSouthernsideoftheTemplealsohadseveraladditionalgateways:

• Sha'arHaBechorot-GateoftheFirstborn• Sha'arHaDelek-TheFirewoodGate• Sha'arHaElyon-TheUpperGate

Sha'arHaBechorot-Gateofthefirstborn

Sacrificesaredividedintotwotypes:thoseofgreaterandthoseoflessersanctity.ThoseofgreatersanctityhadtobeslaughterednorthoftheAltar.ThoseoflessersanctitycouldbeslaughteredanywhereintheAzarah,eveninthesouthernarea.ThefirstbornofferingwasoneofthemorecommonsacrificesoflessersanctityandwasthereforebroughtintotheTemplethroughasoutherngate--toindicateitsrelativeunimportance.SomesaythatwhenAbrahambroughtIsaac,hisfirstborn,tobesacrificeduponthemounthewalkedoverthisarea.

Sha'arHaDelek-TheFirewoodGateTheforestsofJerusalemwerelocatedwestoftheUpperCity.ThewoodwascutdownandbroughtinthroughtheKiphonusGate,theonlygateonthewesternsideoftheTemplewalltoleaddirectlyontotheTempleMount.ThewoodcouldnotbebroughtinthroughthewesterngatessurroundingtheAzarah,becausethosegateswerenarrowandsmall.ThewoodhadtobecarriedaroundtothesouthernpartoftheAzarahandbroughtinthroughoneofthosegateways,whichwascalledtheGateoftheFirewood.ThefirewoodfromtheWoodChamberwasalsobroughtintotheAzarahthroughtheGateoftheFirewood.

Sha'arHaElyon-UpperGate

Theuppergate-nottobeconfusedwiththeNikanorGatethatwasalsocalledtheUpperGate-wasthehighestpointontheTempleMount.BetHamoked-TheHearth

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ThelargestbuildingintheAzarahwastheHeichal,whichwillbediscussedlater.ThesecondlargestwastheHearth.Thisdome-coveredstructurewasthesleepingquartersforthepriestswhoperformedtheservices.Mostauthorities say that itwashalf-inside theAzarahandhalf-outside. It had four rooms connectedwiththestructure.Somesaythatthesideroomswereoutsidethebuilding.Otherssaythatthefoursideroomswereinsidethebuilding,oneroomineachcorner.TheHearthitselfservedasadormitory.Thewallswerelinedwithgreatstonesteps.Somesourcessaythe priests slept on these steps,while othersmaintain that the sleeping quarterswere built into thewall, like cubicles or coops. The priests would climb the steps to their respective cubicles, the elderpriestssleptabove,andtheyoungeronessleptonthefloor.Inthemiddleofthefloorwasatileonecubitbyonecubit.Itcouldberaisedbyliftingahoopsetintoit.Underneathwas a chain, to whichwere attached the keys to the gates. One of the priestly officialswouldtakethekeysafter theTempledoorswere lockedatnight,placethemonthechain,andsleepatopthetile.FourroomswereconnectedtotheHearth:

1. LishkatLechemHapanim-ChamberoftheShowbread

The twelve "showbreads" used for the Shulchanwere baked here every Friday.On Shabbat the newshowbreadsreplacedtheolderoneswhichwerelatereatenbytheKohaniminthisroom.

2. LishkatHaChosamot-TheReceiptChamber

Whenone needed oil,wine, or flour for his sacrifice, he purchased special tokens ("receipts") in thischamber. With these tokens he would pick up his order from the chamber of oils. This room alsocontainedthestonesoftheMizbe'achdefiledbytheGreeks.

3. LishkatHatela'im-TheSheepChamber

Thischamberwasusedasabarnforthesheepofferedas"dailysacrifices".Thesheepwerecheckedforblemishesandimperfectionstwiceaday,forafour-dayperiodpriortobeingsacrificed

4. LishkatBetHamoked-theHearthChamber

Thiswas a chamber that led to another hearth undergroundusedby Kohanimwhowerenot rituallypure.Amikvah(ritualbath)andrestroomswerealsolocatedinthisundergroundchamber.

OtherGatesleadingtotheNorthernsideofthetempleincludedtheSha'arHanitzutz:GateofSparksandtheSha'arHanashim-TheWomen'sGate.

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ShaarHanitzutz-GateofSparks

In front of this gatewas a small courtyard surrounded by columns,which supported a balcony uponwhichkohanimfromthepriestlyguardstayedwatchatnight.Thesun'sraysshiningbetweenthecolumnsappearedtobeflickeringsparks,givingthegateitsname.ThegatewasalsocalledGateofYoachim,becauseitwasfromthisveryspotthatKingYoachimwasledintoexilebyNebuchadnezzar.

Sha'arHanashim-Women'sGate

Womenwererequiredtobringasacrificeaftergivingbirth,andonotheroccasions.Theywouldstandinthisgatewaywhiletheirsacrificewasbeingoffered.Thisgatewaywasnarrowerthantheothergatesonthenorthside.

Ulam-TheEntranceHall

This entrance hall, which led to the inner sanctuary, was called the Ulam. It is described by mostcommentariesas100amotfromnorthtosouth,100amothighand11Amotfromeasttowest.Itwasonestoryhigh.Inside,chainsweresuspendedfromtheceilingtotheground,thiswayyoungKohanimcouldinspectthewallsandwindowsforrepairs-byclimbingthechains.Beamsofcedarconnectedthefrontandbackwallsandservedasbracestokeepthehighwallsfromtoppling.

ChamberoftheKnivesAtthenorthernandsouthernendsoftheUlamweretworoomscalledtheBeitHachalifot-ChamberofKnives.Theslaughteringkniveswerekepthereinlockerssetintothewall.Thedullordefectivekniveswerekeptinthesouthernroom,wheretheyweresharpenedorrepaired.Knivessuitableforusewerestoredinthenorthernroom.

SmallGates

In the southwest and northwest corner of the Ulam were doors 8 amot high. Since all korbanot(sacrifices)hadtobeslaughteredopposite"thedooroftheHeichal"-asdescribedintheTorah,-thesetwodoorswerebuiltsothatslaughteringdoneanywhereintheAzarahwouldbe"oppositethedoor".

TheGreatDoorway

Thedoorwaytothehallwas20amotwideand40amothigh,andwasthelargestdoorwayintheTemple.Abovethedoorwaywerefivegreatmahoganybeamssetintothefaceofthebuilding(Middot3:7),eachcarvedwithornatedesigns.Thebottombeamwassetdirectlyabovethedoorwayandwas22cubitslong,extendingbeyondthedoorway1cubitoneachside.

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Soitwaswiththeotherbeamsuptothefifthbeam,whichwas30cubitslong.Setbetweenthebeamswererowsofstonesprojectingfromthewalltofurtherenhancetheappearanceoftheentrance.Thelargedoorwayhadnodoors,butratheralargecurtainofthefinestlinenwithfringesandgoldflowers

embroideredonit.

YachinandBo'az

Flankingthisentranceweretwolargecoppercolumns.Eachwas18cubitshigh,12cubitsincircumference,2/3ofacubitthickandhadacapitalontop,measuring5cubitshighwithcarvingsofflowersandlilies.

TherightpillarwascalledYachin,representingthekingdomofDavidforever-prepared(YachininHebrew).TheleftpillarwascalledBoazafterthejudicialancestorofDavid.

Ta'im-TheSmallOffices

Alongthenorthern,western,andsouthernoutsidewallsoftheKodesh(InnerSanctuary)andHolyofHolieswereaseriesofsmalloffices.Theseofficeswerenotusedforstorage,theironlypurposewastoserveasanadditionaldividerfortheInnerSanctuaryandtheHolyofHolies.

Therewerefifteenofficestothenorthandfifteentothesouth, fiveperfloor.Therewereeightsmallofficestothewest,threeatthebottomlevel,threeatopthem,andtwoatopthem.Theheightofthethree stories of offices covered about half the height of the outsidewalls. The remaining height hadwindowssetintothewallstoallowlighttoenter.TheholyofHolieshadonewindowinthebackwall,8cubitshigh.Stepsineachofficeledtotheflooraboveandthefloorbelow.Doorsledintotheadjacentoffices.Thebottomlevelofofficeswasbuiltalongsidethefoundation,notaboveit.

TheOffices'EntranceTheUlam-(Entrancehall)-haddoorsthatledintothefirstofficealongthenorthernwallandintothefirstofficealongthesouthernwall.Thedoor leadingtothefirstsouthernofficewasneveropenedbyanypriest.However,ontheSabbath, festivals,andatthemomentthenewmoonappeared,thedoorwouldopenbyitself.Sincethefirstfloorofofficeswaslocatedatthefoundationlevel,thesetwodoorsintheHallmusthaveledintothefirstofficeonthesecondfloor.

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TheNorthernDoor

To allow a person to stand in the Hall and open the door leading into the first northern office - anopeningwas located in the lowerpart of thedoor. Thepriest of Levitehad tobenddown, insert hishand through the opening, and, with a key, unlock the door from the inside. Inside that office wasanotherdoorwayleadingintotheKodesh.Thatdoorunlockedinamoreconventionalway.OnceinsidetheKodesh, theKodeshdoors couldbeunlocked.The locks to thesedoorswereon the insideof thedoors.

TheRampThefirstnorthernofficehadadoorinitsnorthernwall,whichledtothebottomofaramp.Therampleduptotheroofofthewesternoffices.Onecouldwalkalongthatroof,headedsouth,untilhecametothesouthernsideoftheHeichal.

TherewasanotherrampalongthesouthernsideoftheHeichal,ontheroofofthesouthernoffices,thatledtoadoorintothechamberabovetheKodesh.Onlyworkmenwhohadtodorepairworkwentintotheupperchamber.

TheCistern

Behindthesouthernwallofthesouthernofficeswasacistern.ThewaterthatflowedofftheroofoftheHeichalranintothatcistern.

TheKodesh-InnerSanctuaryThedoorwayoftheKodeshwas10cubitswideand20cubitshigh.OverthedoorwaywasacarvingofagoldenmenorahdonatedbyQueenHelena,aconverttoJudaism.Themorningservicecouldnotbeginbeforesunrise.TheTemplewassurroundedbyhighwalls,anditwasnotpossibletoseetherisingsun,soapriesthadtobesentoutsidetoseeifitwastimefortheservicetobegin.

AfterQueenHelenadonatedtheMenorah,itwasnolongernecessarytosendapriestoutsidetheTemple.AsthesunroseintheeastitshoneagainstthemenorahandthereflectedlightwascastintotheAzarah.Theprieststhenknewthatthemorningservicecouldbegin.

TheDoorway

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Thedoorwaywas6cubitsthickandhadfourdoors.Thedoorsweremadeofolivewoodoverlaidwithgold.Carved in thegoldwereangels, palm trees, and flowers. The frontwallsof theHeichal and thedoorpostswere6cubitsthick.

Twodoorsweresetatthefrontofthe6-cubitdoorway,andtwodoorsweresetattherear.Thefronttwodoorsopenedinward,andfoldedagainsttheinnerwallofthedoorway.Thereardoorsalsoopenedinward,andfoldedagainstthewall.(R.Yehudahhasadifferentopinionconcerningthedoors).

Infrontofthedoorswasacurtainthatcouldberaisedandlowered.WhentheHighPriestwasintheKodesh,thecurtainwasloweredtoaffordhimprivacy.

TheWindows

ThewindowsoftheKodeshwere20cubitshigh,andconsistedoflongnarrowopeningsinthewalls.Theopeningswerewiderontheoutsidethanontheinside.Inaprivatedwelling,windowopeningswerenarrowontheoutsideandwideontheinsidetocausethelighttospreadinside.TherabbisviewedtheHeichalasthe"lightsource"oftheworld,sothewindowswereconstructedthustospreadthelightoutward.TheKodeshwas40cubits long,20cubitswideand40cubitshigh.Thewallswerepaneledwithwoodandoverlaidwithgold,exceptfortheplacesthedoorscoveredwhentheywereopen.Engravedinthegoldwerepalmtrees,vines,flowers,andangels.

TheHolyVessels

NearthenorthernwalloftheKodeshwastheShulchan(GoldenTable).Itwasplacedinaneast-westorientation.OntheTablewerethetwelveshowbreadsandtwospoonsfilledwithfrankincense.ThereweretheothergoldentablesintheKodesh;fivenorthoftheGoldenTable,andfivetothesouth.TheseweretoenhancethebeautyoftheGoldenTable.TheMenorahwasplacedwithanorth-southorientationnearthesouthernwalloftheKodesh,thoughsomesay itwasplacedwithaneast-westorientation.Therewere tenothermenorahs in theKodesh.Five were placed north of the Menorah, and five were placed to the south. These, too, were fromornamentalpurposes.InthecenteroftheKodeshwasthegoldenAltar.TheMenorah,Altar,andTablewereplacedwithintheinnerhalfoftheKodesh.TheAltarwasslightlyofftotheeast.

IntheFirstTemple,awall1cubitthickseparatedtheKodeshfromtheHolyofHolies.InthatTempletheceilingwasonly30cubits,theSecondTemplehadaheightof40cubitsbetweenfloorandceiling.Awall1cubitthickcouldnotbeerectedtothe40cubitheight.TheydidnotwanttomakeawiderwallsoasnottodiminishanyareaoftheKodeshortheHolyofHolies.

ItwasdecidedtobuildtheKodeshafull40cubitslongandtheHolyofHoliesafull20cubits.Aneutralspaceof1cubitwouldbeplacebetweenthem,andmarkedoffbytwocurtains.Onecurtainwasplaced

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between the end of the Kodesh and the beginning of the cubit space. The other curtainwas placedbetween the end of the Kodesh and the beginning of the cubit space. The other curtainwas placedbetweentheendofthecubitspaceandthebeginningoftheholyofHolies.Theoutercurtainwasfoldedbackonitssouthernsideandtheinnercurtainfoldedbackonitsnorthernside.

Thecurtainswereneveropenedexceptduringfestivals,whentheywererolledbacksothatthepeoplecouldseethecarvingsoftheangelsonthewall.Theangelsinthecarvingswereembracing,whichrepresentedtheloveofG-dtothechildrenofIsrael.

KodeshHaKodashim-HolyofHolies

The Holy of Holies, as its name implies, was the most sacred part of the entire Temple. Entry wasforbiddenexceptonYomKippurwhentheHighPriestenteredtheInnerSanctuary.Itsdimensionswere20cubitslong,20cubitswide,and40cubitshigh.Thefloor,walls,andceilingwereplatedwithgold,aswastheKodesh.IntheHolyofHolieswasarockthatprojectedabovethegroundtoaheightof3fingers.TherockwasfirstuncoveredbyKingDavidandtheprophetSamuel.SomesaytherockwasintheverycenteroftheHolyofHolies;otherssayitwasnearthewesternwalloftheHolyofHolies,andstillothersmaintainthatitwasnearthecurtainsseparatingtheKodeshandtheHolyofHolies.TheArk (which contained the tabletswith the TenCommandments) restedupon the rockduring theFirst Temple era. During the Second Temple there was no Ark. Some say it was captured byNebuchadnezzar; others say it was hidden beneath the rock; and still others say that it was hiddenbelowtheWoodChamberintheWomen'sCourtyard.TherewasanotherfloorlevelabovetheKodeshandHolyofHolieswhosedimensionsanddecorativeworkwereexactly like thechambersbelow,butwithnocurtainsseparating the floorabove theKodesh fromfromthe floorabove theHolyofHolies.Insteadstoneblocksprojectedfromthewallitselftomarkthedivisionbetweenthetwosacredareas.ThefloorofthechamberabovetheHolyofHolieshadtrapdoorssurroundingthewallsoftheroom.Alargebox supportedbya rope, couldbe lowered throughany trapdoordown into theHolyofHolies.WorkerswhohadtorepairthewallsoftheHolyofHolieswereloweredthroughthetrapdoorsintothechamberbelow.TheirviewoftheHolyofHolieswascompletelyblockedoffexcept fortheportionofthewalltoberepaired.

Reprintedwithkindpermission,ChabadLubavtichinCyberspace

StudentNotes:

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Worksheet 1 1.What is the title given to Tisha B’Av, which describes the nature of this day?

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2. Name the two main tragedies of this day, which we commemorate annually? 3. How did Tisha B’Av come to be the day of mourning for all generations? 4. Why did the Rabbis choose the 9th of Av? 5. Name the 6 restrictions of Tisha B’Av? 6. What is the traditional food of mourning? 7. What kind of study is permitted on this day? 8. Name some of customs associated with Tisha B’Av 9. Which texts compose the Tisha B’Av religious service? 10. What is the thought of comfort that we retain as we focus on our mourning for 25 hours?

Worksheet 2 1. How many points of entry were there to the Temple mount? 2. Which gate was called “Chuldah” and why?

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3. Which gate was called “Kiphonus” and why? 4. Which gate was called “Tadi” and why? 5. Which gate was called “Shushan” and why? 6. Why was there a need for a women’s balcony? 7. Who is a Nazarite? 8. What did the priests discover in the Chamber of Wood? 9. What was the Lishkat Hashemanim used for? 10. Describe the purification process for the Metzorah

Worksheet 3

1. Who was Nikanor and which part of the Holy Temple commemorates him? 2. How did he merit this honor? 3. When was the above structure used?

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4. How were the Northern and the Southern Chambers subdivided? 5. What is Lishkat Hagazit? What took place there? 6. What is Lishkat Hagolah? Who constructed it? 7. What is Lishkat Parhedrin? What was it used for? 8. What else was the salt used for, other than the sacrifices? 9. What is the story behind the building of Lishkat Haparvah? 10. Why were the Korbanot animals cleaned and rinsed out, if they were not intended for consumption?

Worksheet 4

1. What were the various uses of the Great Altar? 2. What was the Mizbeach HaChitzon (Great Altar) made of? 3. What was “The Apple”?

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4. How were the 8 tables used? 5. Why was the practice of painless incision on the animal’s forehead abolished? 6. What is a Mikvah? How is it used? 7. Who were the Avtinus family? Why would they not disclose the secret incense ingredient? 8. How would certain High Priests use the Lishkat Avtinus in the Second Temple period? 9. Name all the gates of the southern side of the Holy Temple. 10. What were the two types of sacrifices and how were they handled differently from each other?

Worksheet 5

1. Describe the appearance of the Hearth

2. What was its purpose?

3. Which four chambers were connected to the Hearth?

4. What gave the Shaar Hanitzuz its name?

5. When was the Shaar Hanashim used?

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6. Why did the Ulam have chains hanging down from the ceiling?

7. Why were the Small Gates built in the southwest and northwest corners of the Ulam?

8. What were the Yachin and Boaz?

9. Where were the small offices located? What was stored in them?

10. How would a priest get into the Kodesh through the Northern Door?

Worksheet 6

1. Who was Queen Helena and what did she donate to the Holy Temple?

2. How did the Kohanim determine the time to begin the morning services?

3. Why were the windows of the Kodesh narrow on the outside and wide on the inside?

4. What was inside the Kodesh near the northern wall?

5. Where was the Menorah situated? Why were there other menorahs?

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6. How were the Kodesh (the Holy) and the Kodesh Hakodashim (the Holy of Holies) separated?

7. Who was allowed into the Kodesh Hakodashim?

8. What was inside the kodesh Hakodashim?

9. What are some of theories behind the disappearance of the Ark?

10. How could the repairs be made in the Holy of Holies if entering was forbidden under the penalty of death?