7. To the House Moked were two doors; one open to the Chel, and one open
to the court. Said Rabbi Judah, “the one open to the court had a wicket,
through which they went in to sweep the court.”
8. The House Moked was arched, and spacious, and surrounded with stone
divans, and the elders of the Courses slept there with the keys of the
court in their hands; and also the young priests each with his pillow on
the ground.
9. And there was a place a cubit square with a tablet of marble, and to it
was fastened a ring, and a chain upon which the keys were suspended. When
the time approached for locking the gates, the priest lifted up the tablet
by the ring, and took the keys from the chain and locked inside, and the
Levites slept outside. When he had finished locking, he returned the keys
to the chain, and the tablet to its place, laid his pillow over it, and
fell asleep. If sudden defilement happened, he rose and went out in the
gallery that ran under the arch, and candles flamed on either side, until
he came to the house of baptism. Rabbi Eleazar, the son of Jacob, says,
“in the gallery that went under the Chel, he passed out through Tadi.”
OUR BEAUTY BE UPON THEE IN THREE PLACES.
Chapter II
1. The Mountain of the House was 500 cubits square. The largest space was
on the south, the second on the east, the third on the north, and the
least westward. In the place largest in measurement was held most service.
2. All who entered the Mountain of the House entered on the right-hand
side, and went round, and passed out on the left: except to whomsoever an
accident occurred, he turned to the left. “Why do you go to the left?” “I
am in mourning.” “He that dwelleth in this House comfort thee.” “I am
excommunicate.” “He that dwelleth in this House put in thy heart
(repentance), and they shall receive thee.” The words of Rabbi Meier. To
him said Rabbi José, “thou hast acted as though they had transgressed
against him in judgment; but, ‘may He that dwelleth in this House put it
in thy heart that thou hearken to the words of thy neighbors, and they
shall receive thee.’ ”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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