Tour the Holy Temple

The focal point of the Temple Mount was a central courtyard containing the structure of the Bet Hamikdash. The rest of the area contained various rooms and buildings...

This courtyard contained a balcony reserved for women. Chambers were built in the four corners of this courtyard for various temple needs.

The Nikanor Gates led from the Ezrat Nashim to the Azarah. Fifteen semi-circular steps lead to this gate. On occasion, the Levites sang as they stood on these steps.

The second largest was the Hearth. This dome-covered structure was the sleeping quarters for the priests who performed the services.

This building complex consisted of three chambers.

North of the Altar was the Butchering Place. It included eight columns, eight tables and twenty-four hoops.

This roofed building contained three chambers: the Chamber of Hewed Stone, the Chamber of the Well and the Chamber of the High Priest (Kohen Gadol).

This Altar served a variety of uses. The top was used to burn the various sacrifices. The walls were used for the sprinkling the blood of certain sacrifices.

The Water Gate, the Mikvah, the Avtinus Chamber, the Gate of the Firstborn, the Firewood Gate and the Upper Gate.

The second largest structure in the Temple was the Hearth. This dome-covered structure was the sleeping quarters for the priests who performed the services.

The doors were made of olive wood overlaid with gold. Carved in the gold were angels, palm trees, and flowers...

Along the northern, western, and southern outside walls of the Kodesh (Inner Sanctuary) and Holy of Holies were a series of small offices.

The rabbis viewed the Heichal as the "light source" of the world, so the windows were constructed thus to spread the light outward.

The Holy of Holies, as its name implies, was the most sacred part of the entire Temple. Entry was forbidden except on Yom Kippur when the High Priest entered.