Bet
Hamoked - The Hearth
The largest building in
the Azarah was the Heichal, which will be discussed
later. The second largest was the Hearth. This dome-covered
structure was the sleeping quarters for the priests
who performed the services.
Most authorities
say that it was half inside the Azarah and half outside.
It had four rooms connected with the structure.
Some say that the
side rooms were outside the building. Others say that
the four side rooms were inside the building, one
room in each corner.
The Hearth itself
served as a dormitory. The walls were lined with great
stone steps. Some sources say the priests slept on
these steps, while others maintain that the sleeping
quarters were built into the wall, like cubicles or
coops.
The
priests would climb the steps to their respective cubicles,
the elder priests slept above, and the younger ones
slept on the floor.
In the middle of
the floor was a tile one cubit by one cubit. It could
be raised by lifting a hoop set into it. Underneath
was a chain, to which were attached the keys to the
gates.
One of the priestly
officials would take the keys after the Temple doors
were locked at night, place them on the chain, and
sleep atop the tile.
* * *
Four rooms were connected to the Hearth:
lishkat Lechem
Hapanim - Chamber of the Showbread
The
twelve "showbreads" used for the Shulchan were baked
here every Friday. On Shabbat the new showbreads replaced
the older ones which were later eaten by the Kohanim
in this room.
lishkat HaChosamot
- The Receipt Chamber
When one needed oil, wine, or flour for his sacrifice,
he purchased special tokens ("receipts") in this chamber.
With these tokens he would pick up his order from
the chamber of oils.
This room also contained the stones of the Mizbe'ach
defiled by the Greeks.
lishkat
Hatela'im - The Sheep Chamber
This chamber was used as a barn for the sheep offered
as "daily sacrifices". The sheep were checked
for blemishes and imperfections twice a day, for a
four-day period prior to being sacrificed
lishkat Bet
Hamoked - the Hearth Chamber
This was a chamber
that led to another hearth underground used by Kohanim
who were not ritually pure. A Mikvah (ritual bath)
and restrooms were also located in this underground
chamber.
Other Gates leading to the Northern
side of the temple included the Sha'ar
Hanitzutz - Gate of Sparks and the
Sha'ar Hanashim - The Women's Gate.
Shaar
Hanitzutz - Gate of Sparks
In front of this
gate was a small courtyard surrounded by columns,
which supported a balcony upon which kohanim from
the priestly guard stayed watch at night.
The sun's rays
shining between the columns appeared to be flickering
sparks, giving the gate its name.
The gate was also called Gate
of Yoachim, because it was from this very spot that
King Yoachim was led into exile by Nebuchadnezzar.
Sha'ar
Hanashim - Women's Gate
Women were required
to bring a sacrifice after giving birth, and on other
occasions. They would
stand in this gateway while their sacrifice was being
offered. This gateway
was narrower than the other gates on the north side.