The Third Beit HaMikdash · The Third Beit HaMikdash, Chapter 74
1
כְּבָר כָּתַבְנוּ בְּסִימַן ע"א שֶׁגַּם בְּבִנְיַן הֶעָתִיד יִהְיֶה מְקוֹם רֶוַח אֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת. וּבְמִדּוֹת פֶּרֶק בַּתְרָא (מ"א) תְּנַן: וְי"א אַמָּה אֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת. וְהָיָה בְּאֶפְשָׁר לוֹמַר, שֶׁאֵלּוּ י"א אַמּוֹת שֶׁלַּאֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת דִּתְנַן בְּמִדּוֹת, הֵם בְּמִסְפָּר בְּמִפְקַד י"א אַמָּה מְקוֹם דְּרִיסַת רַגְלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, דְּגַם לַאֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת רַשָּׁאִין לֵילֵךְ כִּדְכָתַב הָרַמְבָּ"ם בְּסִפְרוֹאלא מצאנו מקומו ברמב”ם. אמנם מקור דבר זה שרשאין ישראל להלך שם הוא בגמ’ (יומא כא.) שברגלין היו ישראל נמשכין לשם, ומשמע שמותרין לילך שם, ועיי”ש בפרש”י (ד”ה נמשכין) שהיו נמשכין דרך צדדי ההיכל עד לאחורי ההיכל משמע נמי שרק לפניהם דהיינו בי”א של כהנים אסורים ליכנס עיי”ש. ועיין בתפא”י (פ”ב מ”ו נח) למד מזה ג”כ כנ”ל.. וּלְפִי זֶה אִם נַשְׁוֶה מִדּוֹתֵינוּ גַּם כֵּן בְּזֶה הַבַּיִת הֶעָתִיד, יִהְיֶה אִם כֵּן י"ז אַמָּה אֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת, שֶׁכֵּן הוּא דְּרִיסַת רַגְלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּזֶה הַבַּיִת הֶעָתִיד, י"ז אַמָּה, כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי סִימַן כ"ו. שֶׁעִם הֱיוֹת שֶׁאוֹתָן שֶׁל אֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת [בְּבִנְיַן הֶעָתִיד] הֵן בְּאֹרֶך יוֹתֵרבשהרי רוחב העזרה בבית שני הוא קל"ה אמה ורוחב חצר החיצונה בבית העתיד הוא שי"ב אמות. [מִבְּבַיִת שֵׁנִי] לְפִי שֶׁהוֹלְכִין עַל פְּנֵי כָּל הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה, הֲרֵי אֹרֶךְ הַזֶּה שֶׁלָּהֶן לֹא יַעֲלֶה לְחֶשְׁבּוֹן מַה שֶּׁאֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהוּא בֶּחָצֵר [הַ]חִיצוֹנָהגשהרי חומות החצר הפנימית מסתיימות במזרח הבית ובמערב הבית יש רק החומה המערבית של התצר החיצונה, כמו שהולך ומבאר בסמוך..
In sec. 71, we stated that the Future Beis HaMikdash will also have empty space behind the Holy of Holies. Tractate Middos states,1Middos 5:1. “There were 11 cubits behind the Holy of Holies.” It is possible to say that these 11 cubits correspond to the 11 cubits of the Courtyard of the Israelites, since according to Rambam, Israelites were also permitted to proceed behind the Holy of Holies.2The source in Rambam’s work has not been located. See Yoma 21a. Following that logic, one can postulate that in the Future Beis HaMikdash, there will be 17 cubits of empty space behind the Holy of Holies. This will correspond to the 17 cubits of space where Israelites will be allowed to proceed in the future structure’s Courtyard, as explained in sec. 26. It is true that the area behind the Holy of Holies in the Future Beis HaMikdash will be much longer than the corresponding area in the Second Beis HaMikdash.3I.e., in the second Beis HaMikdash, the courtyard was 135 cubits wide, while in the Future Beis HaMikdash, it will be 312 cubits wide. The rationale is because the area behind the future structure’s Holy of Holies will extend across the entire length of the Outer Courtyard. Nevertheless, that is not problematic, because the part of this area that is on the northern and southern sides of the Outer Courtyard will be set off, and is thus not included when calculating the area where Israelites will be able to walk.
Even so, it seems that the dimensions of the past and the future complexes will be the same and, in the Ultimate Future, there will only be an 11 cubit space behind the Holy of Holies. The rationale for this statement is that in the Second Beis HaMikdash, the area behind the Holy of Holies is part of the Inner Courtyard which encircled the building of the Beis HaMikdash on its north and south, and behind it. Therefore, it is appropriate that the area behind the Holy of Holies where the Israelites could walk be equivalent to the area where they could walk at the beginning of this courtyard. In the Future Beis HaMikdash, by contrast, as can be seen in the diagram that we drew,4A copy of that diagram is included as a foldout at the end of this volume. the area behind the Holy of Holies will be part of the Outer Courtyard. It is not crucial whether or not the area behind the Holy of Holies will be sanctified with the holiness of the Courtyard, for the Twenty-Cubit Space and the chambers will be sanctified.5Thus, providing an ample amount of space for the functions necessary to be performed there. Thus, even without consecrating the area behind the Holy of Holies, there will be more than the 187 cubits of consecrated space that existed in the Second Beis HaMikdash, as explained in sec. 71. Thus, it can be concluded that the area behind the Holy of Holies is part of the outer portion of the Courtyard. If so, it is fitting that there be only 11 cubits behind the Holy of Holies to correspond to the 11 cubits that existed in the former structure. These 11 cubits will parallel the 11 cubits left at the end of the lower chambers in the eastern portion of the Outer Courtyard, as explained at the beginning of the previous section.
As stated previously, the Outer Courtyard in front of the eastern wall of the Inner Courtyard was 100 cubits long. The lower chambers were also 100 cubits long. They were set back along the northern and southern walls of the Inner Courtyard, until the end of the cells on the flanks of the gates. After the end of the cells, there is 4 ½ cubits of empty space before the end of the wall. That figure is derived as follows: As explained in sec. 21, the cells on either side of the gate and the gate, take up 91 cubits. The Courtyard measured 100 cubits by 100 cubits. Thus there are 9 cubits of empty space along the walls. Since the Beis HaMikdash was built symmetrically, the 9 cubits half should be divided in half, leaving 4 ½ cubits on the west and the same amount on the east. As mentioned previously, the Inner Courtyard’s wall was 6 cubits thick. If we add these 6 cubits to the 4 1/2 cubits of extra space, the chambers will be built 10 ½ cubits west of the beginning of the Outer Courtyard. Thus, there will be 10 ½ cubits of empty space between the end of the chambers and the wall of the Outer Courtyard.
Since the builders of the Second Beis HaMikdash left 11 cubits of open space behind the Holy of Holies, it is appropriate to say that an equivalent space will be left there in the Future Beis HaMikdash. Accordingly, there should also be an equivalent space left at the beginning of the Outer Courtyard. That measure can be achieved by having half a cubit of the last cell’s wall enter the wall of the chamber. Thus the chamber will be set back 11 cubits from the wall of the Inner Courtyard and there will be an equal amount of space left open at the beginning of the Outer Courtyard. Thus the beginning and end of the Outer Courtyard of the Future Beis HaMikdash will be symmetric. In the Second Beis HaMikdash, it was the beginning and end of the Inner Courtyard that resembled each other. In the Future Beis HaMikdash, this pattern will be followed in the Outer Courtyard.
Based on the above, it is possible to explain the calculation made in sec. 1, that the length of the Outer Courtyard from east to west is 317 cubits. Thus the end of my description of the Future Beis HaMikdash will focus on the same subject as its beginning. To follow is the reckoning of that measure: There are 100 cubits in front of the beginning of the eastern wall of the Inner Courtyard, as explained in sec. 22. That wall is 6 cubits thick, as explained in sec. 23. The Inner Courtyard itself is 100 cubits 1ong, as stated in sec. 36. The building of the Beis HaMikdash was 100 cubits long, as stated in sec. 64. And then, there were these 11 cubits. When these dimensions are added together, a total of 317 cubits is reached.
In His great kindness and goodness until now, God has helped me explain the layout of the Future Beis HaMikdash, its chambers, its structures, its cells, its exits, and its entrances. Everything is thoroughly explained, inspired by the generous hand of God.6Cf. I Divrei HaYamim 28:19.
We are, however, obligated to complete our explanation of the area known as the Great Terumah, and discuss how its sides exceed the Temple Mount that is located within it, as we began explaining in our introductory words.7See the Preface. We hope to present an illustration of the Great Terumah at the conclusion of our description, along with numbers keyed to these explanations. The value of such a drawing is self-understood, and has been explained in the preface.
Thus, after we have keyed the portions of the drawing of the House until the number 74, we will begin keying the description of the Temple Mount from the number 75, and continue in ascending order until the description is completed.8That drawing is found on page 274
כְּבָר כָּתַבְנוּ בְּסִימַן ע"א שֶׁגַּם בְּבִנְיַן הֶעָתִיד יִהְיֶה מְקוֹם רֶוַח אֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת. וּבְמִדּוֹת פֶּרֶק בַּתְרָא (מ"א) תְּנַן: וְי"א אַמָּה אֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת. וְהָיָה בְּאֶפְשָׁר לוֹמַר, שֶׁאֵלּוּ י"א אַמּוֹת שֶׁלַּאֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת דִּתְנַן בְּמִדּוֹת, הֵם בְּמִסְפָּר בְּמִפְקַד י"א אַמָּה מְקוֹם דְּרִיסַת רַגְלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, דְּגַם לַאֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת רַשָּׁאִין לֵילֵךְ כִּדְכָתַב הָרַמְבָּ"ם בְּסִפְרוֹאלא מצאנו מקומו ברמב”ם. אמנם מקור דבר זה שרשאין ישראל להלך שם הוא בגמ’ (יומא כא.) שברגלין היו ישראל נמשכין לשם, ומשמע שמותרין לילך שם, ועיי”ש בפרש”י (ד”ה נמשכין) שהיו נמשכין דרך צדדי ההיכל עד לאחורי ההיכל משמע נמי שרק לפניהם דהיינו בי”א של כהנים אסורים ליכנס עיי”ש. ועיין בתפא”י (פ”ב מ”ו נח) למד מזה ג”כ כנ”ל.. וּלְפִי זֶה אִם נַשְׁוֶה מִדּוֹתֵינוּ גַּם כֵּן בְּזֶה הַבַּיִת הֶעָתִיד, יִהְיֶה אִם כֵּן י"ז אַמָּה אֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת, שֶׁכֵּן הוּא דְּרִיסַת רַגְלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּזֶה הַבַּיִת הֶעָתִיד, י"ז אַמָּה, כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי סִימַן כ"ו. שֶׁעִם הֱיוֹת שֶׁאוֹתָן שֶׁל אֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת [בְּבִנְיַן הֶעָתִיד] הֵן בְּאֹרֶך יוֹתֵרבשהרי רוחב העזרה בבית שני הוא קל"ה אמה ורוחב חצר החיצונה בבית העתיד הוא שי"ב אמות. [מִבְּבַיִת שֵׁנִי] לְפִי שֶׁהוֹלְכִין עַל פְּנֵי כָּל הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה, הֲרֵי אֹרֶךְ הַזֶּה שֶׁלָּהֶן לֹא יַעֲלֶה לְחֶשְׁבּוֹן מַה שֶּׁאֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהוּא בֶּחָצֵר [הַ]חִיצוֹנָהגשהרי חומות החצר הפנימית מסתיימות במזרח הבית ובמערב הבית יש רק החומה המערבית של התצר החיצונה, כמו שהולך ומבאר בסמוך..
In sec. 71, we stated that the Future Beis HaMikdash will also have empty space behind the Holy of Holies. Tractate Middos states,1Middos 5:1. “There were 11 cubits behind the Holy of Holies.” It is possible to say that these 11 cubits correspond to the 11 cubits of the Courtyard of the Israelites, since according to Rambam, Israelites were also permitted to proceed behind the Holy of Holies.2The source in Rambam’s work has not been located. See Yoma 21a. Following that logic, one can postulate that in the Future Beis HaMikdash, there will be 17 cubits of empty space behind the Holy of Holies. This will correspond to the 17 cubits of space where Israelites will be allowed to proceed in the future structure’s Courtyard, as explained in sec. 26. It is true that the area behind the Holy of Holies in the Future Beis HaMikdash will be much longer than the corresponding area in the Second Beis HaMikdash.3I.e., in the second Beis HaMikdash, the courtyard was 135 cubits wide, while in the Future Beis HaMikdash, it will be 312 cubits wide. The rationale is because the area behind the future structure’s Holy of Holies will extend across the entire length of the Outer Courtyard. Nevertheless, that is not problematic, because the part of this area that is on the northern and southern sides of the Outer Courtyard will be set off, and is thus not included when calculating the area where Israelites will be able to walk.
אָמְנָם נִרְאֶה, דְּאַף לֶעָתִיד לֹא יִהְיֶה כִּי אִם י"א אַמָּה אֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת, וְיִהְיוּ הַמִּדּוֹת שָׁוִים בֶּעָתִיד וּבֶעָבָר, וּבֶעָתִיד עַצְמוֹ גַּם כֵּן. לְפִי דְּהָתָם מַה שֶּׁהוּא אֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת הוּא בֶּחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִי, שֶׁהוּא מְהַלֵּךְ בְּבַיִת שֵׁנִי סְבִיב הַבַּיִת לַצָּפוֹן וְלַדָּרוֹם וְלַאֲחוֹרָיו, וּלְפִיכָךְ מִן הַדִּין שֶׁיִּהְיֶה סוֹפוֹ שָׁוֶה לְרֹאשׁוֹ, שֶׁהוּא י"א אַמָּה דְּרִיסַת רַגְלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁבְּרֹאשׁוֹ. אֲבָל בֶּעָתִיד מַה שֶּׁאֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפֹּרֶת הוּא בֶּחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה כַּאֲשֶׁר עֵינֶיךָ הָרוֹאוֹת בְּצִיּוּרֵנוּ, וּבֵין שֶׁיִּהְיֶה הַמָּקוֹם הַהוּא מְקֻדָּשׁ כֵּיוָן שֶׁאֲוִיר הָעֶשְׂרִים וְהַלְּשָׁכוֹת מְקֻדָּשׁוֹת, וּבֵין שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיֶה מְקֻדָּשׁ, שֶׁאֵין אָנוּ צְרִיכִין לְכָךְ, שֶׁמִּבַּלְעָדָן יֵשׁ לָנוּ יוֹתֵר מִקפ"ז אֹרֶךְ הַמְּקֻדָּשׁ בְּבַיִת שֵׁנִי כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי סִימָן ע"א, עַל כָּל פָּנִים הֵמָּה בַּחִיצוֹנָה. וּלְפִיכָךְ מִן הָרָאוּי גַּם כֵּן שֶׁיִּהְיוּ רַק י"א אַמָּה בְּסוֹפָן, כְּמוֹ שֶׁמָּצָאנוּ גַּם כֵּן בְּרָאשָׁן מָקוֹם מְיֻחָד בְּי"א אַמָּה. וְהוּא, מַה שֶׁמְּכַלּוֹת הַלְּשָׁכוֹת בַּקָּדִים הֶחָצֵר שֶׁפֵּרַשְׁנוּ בַּסִּימָן הַקּוֹדֵם עַד הַתְחָלַת הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה.
Even so, it seems that the dimensions of the past and the future complexes will be the same and, in the Ultimate Future, there will only be an 11 cubit space behind the Holy of Holies. The rationale for this statement is that in the Second Beis HaMikdash, the area behind the Holy of Holies is part of the Inner Courtyard which encircled the building of the Beis HaMikdash on its north and south, and behind it. Therefore, it is appropriate that the area behind the Holy of Holies where the Israelites could walk be equivalent to the area where they could walk at the beginning of this courtyard. In the Future Beis HaMikdash, by contrast, as can be seen in the diagram that we drew,4A copy of that diagram is included as a foldout at the end of this volume. the area behind the Holy of Holies will be part of the Outer Courtyard. It is not crucial whether or not the area behind the Holy of Holies will be sanctified with the holiness of the Courtyard, for the Twenty-Cubit Space and the chambers will be sanctified.5Thus, providing an ample amount of space for the functions necessary to be performed there. Thus, even without consecrating the area behind the Holy of Holies, there will be more than the 187 cubits of consecrated space that existed in the Second Beis HaMikdash, as explained in sec. 71. Thus, it can be concluded that the area behind the Holy of Holies is part of the outer portion of the Courtyard. If so, it is fitting that there be only 11 cubits behind the Holy of Holies to correspond to the 11 cubits that existed in the former structure. These 11 cubits will parallel the 11 cubits left at the end of the lower chambers in the eastern portion of the Outer Courtyard, as explained at the beginning of the previous section.
לְפִי שֶׁיָּדַעְתָּ שֶׁהֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה לִפְנֵי קָדִים הַפְּנִימִי אָרְכּוֹ מֵאָה אַמָּה. וְהַלְּשָׁכוֹת גַּם כֵּן אָרְכָּן מֵאָה אַמָּה, וְהֵם מְשׁוּכִין לַאֲחוֹרֵיהֶן לַמַּעֲרָב עַד הַתָּאִים שֶׁל כֶּתֶף הַשַּׁעַר לַצָּפוֹן וְלַדָּרוֹם. וּמִכְּלוֹת הַתָּאִים יֵשׁ חֲלַל חָצֵר פְּנִימִית ד' אַמּוֹת וּמֶחֱצָה, שֶׁהֲרֵי נִתְבָּאֵר בְּסִימַן כ"א שֶׁהַתָּאִים עִם חֲלַל הַשַּׁעַר שֶׁבֵּינֵיהֶם מַחְזִיקִים צ"א אַמָּה מֵהֶחָצֵר שֶׁהוּא מֵאָה עַל מֵאָה, וְיִשָּׁאֵר לְךָ ט' אַמּוֹת. תֵּן הַמֶּחֱצָה מֵהֶן לְמִזְרַח הַתָּאִים וְהַמֶחֱצָה לְמַעֲרָבָן, יִהְיֶה אִם כֵּן בְּמִזְרָחָן שֶׁשָּׁם הַתְחָלַת הַלְּשָׁכוֹת, ד' אַמּוֹת וּמֶחֱצָה חָצֵר. וְשֵׁשׁ אַמָּה עֹבִי כֹּתֶל הַמִּזְרָח לֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית, וּכְנֶגֶד כָּל זֶה כָּלִין הַלְּשָׁכוֹת וּרְחוֹקִין מֵהַתְחָלַת הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה לַמִּזְרָח.
As stated previously, the Outer Courtyard in front of the eastern wall of the Inner Courtyard was 100 cubits long. The lower chambers were also 100 cubits long. They were set back along the northern and southern walls of the Inner Courtyard, until the end of the cells on the flanks of the gates. After the end of the cells, there is 4 ½ cubits of empty space before the end of the wall. That figure is derived as follows: As explained in sec. 21, the cells on either side of the gate and the gate, take up 91 cubits. The Courtyard measured 100 cubits by 100 cubits. Thus there are 9 cubits of empty space along the walls. Since the Beis HaMikdash was built symmetrically, the 9 cubits half should be divided in half, leaving 4 ½ cubits on the west and the same amount on the east. As mentioned previously, the Inner Courtyard’s wall was 6 cubits thick. If we add these 6 cubits to the 4 1/2 cubits of extra space, the chambers will be built 10 ½ cubits west of the beginning of the Outer Courtyard. Thus, there will be 10 ½ cubits of empty space between the end of the chambers and the wall of the Outer Courtyard.
וּלְפִי שֶׁרָאִינוּ בְּנֵי בַּיִת שֵׁנִי בָּנוּ לַאֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפּוֹרֶת י"א אַמָּה חָצֵר, נֹאמַר עַכְשָׁו שֶׁהַלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁלְּעָתִיד בְּקָדִים הֶחָצֵר, יִהְיוּ עוֹד מְשׁוּכִין בַּחֲצִי אַמָּה לַאֲחוֹרָן, וְיִהְיֶה חֲצִי אַמָּה מִכֹּתֶל הַתָּא הָאַחֲרוֹן כְּנוּסָה לְתוֹךְ חוֹמַת הַלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁלְּמִזְרָחָן. וּבָזֶה יֵשׁ מָקוֹם רָחוֹקדדהיינו מרחק שוה של י"א אמות מחומת החצר החיצונה במזרח עד לתחילת הלשכות כנ"ל. בֵּין הַתְחָלַת הֶחָצֵר אֶל הַלְּשָׁכוֹת, י"א אַמָּה בְּשָׁוֶה, וְכֵן יִהְיֶה לַאֲחוֹרָיו, דּוֹמֶה סוֹפוֹ לְרֹאשׁוֹ. כְּמוֹ שֶׁבְּבַיִת שֵׁנִי דּוֹמֶה סוֹפוֹ לְרֹאשׁוֹ, וְהַכֹּל בֶּחָצֵר פְּנִימִי, וְלֶעָתִיד יְדַמֶּה [רֹאשׁוֹ לְסוֹפוֹ] בֶּחָצֵר חִיצוֹנָה. שֶׁכֵּן, מַה שֶּׁאֲחוֹרֵי בֵּית הַכַּפּוֹרֶת, בְּבַיִת שֵׁנִי הוּא בֶּחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִי, וְלֶעָתִיד הוּא בֶּחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה.
Since the builders of the Second Beis HaMikdash left 11 cubits of open space behind the Holy of Holies, it is appropriate to say that an equivalent space will be left there in the Future Beis HaMikdash. Accordingly, there should also be an equivalent space left at the beginning of the Outer Courtyard. That measure can be achieved by having half a cubit of the last cell’s wall enter the wall of the chamber. Thus the chamber will be set back 11 cubits from the wall of the Inner Courtyard and there will be an equal amount of space left open at the beginning of the Outer Courtyard. Thus the beginning and end of the Outer Courtyard of the Future Beis HaMikdash will be symmetric. In the Second Beis HaMikdash, it was the beginning and end of the Inner Courtyard that resembled each other. In the Future Beis HaMikdash, this pattern will be followed in the Outer Courtyard.
וּמֵעַתָּה נָבוֹא לַחֶשְׁבּוֹן שֶׁכָּתַבְנוּ בַּסִּימָן הָרִאשׁוֹן, שֶׁאֹרֶךְ הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה מִמִּזְרָח לְמַעֲרָב הוּא שי"ז אַמָּה, וְתִהְיֶה הַחֲתִימָה מֵעֵין הַפְּתִיחָה. וְהֵא לְךָ חֶשְׁבּוֹנוֹ, מַה שֶּׁמִּמֶּנּוּ לִפְנֵי הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִי לַקָּדִים הוּא מֵאָה אַמָּה, וְנִתְבָּאֵר סִימָן כ"ב. וּכְנֶגֶד כֹּתֶל הַפְּנִימִית שֶׁהִיא שִׁשָּׁה, כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי סִימָן כ"ג, וּכְנֶגֶד הַפְּנִימִית שֶׁהִיא מֵאָה, כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי סִימָן ל"ו, וּכְנֶגֶד הַבַּיִת שֶׁהוּא מֵאָה אֹרֶךְ כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי סִימָן ס"ד וְכוּ'. וְאֵלּוּ הַי"א אַמָּה שֶׁאֲחוֹרָיו, הֲרֵי בֵּין הַכֹּל שי"ז אַמָּה.
Based on the above, it is possible to explain the calculation made in sec. 1, that the length of the Outer Courtyard from east to west is 317 cubits. Thus the end of my description of the Future Beis HaMikdash will focus on the same subject as its beginning. To follow is the reckoning of that measure: There are 100 cubits in front of the beginning of the eastern wall of the Inner Courtyard, as explained in sec. 22. That wall is 6 cubits thick, as explained in sec. 23. The Inner Courtyard itself is 100 cubits 1ong, as stated in sec. 36. The building of the Beis HaMikdash was 100 cubits long, as stated in sec. 64. And then, there were these 11 cubits. When these dimensions are added together, a total of 317 cubits is reached.
עַד כֹּה עֲזָרָנִי הַאֵל יִתְבָּרֵךְ בְּחַסְדּוֹ וּבְטוּבוֹ הַגָּדוֹל לְבָאֵר תְּמוּנַת הַבַּיִת בְּחַצְרוֹתָיו וְלִשְׁכוֹתָיו בִּנְיָנָיו וְתָאָיו מוֹצָאָיו וּמוֹבָאָיו, הַכֹּל בָּאֵר הֵיטֵב כְּיַד ה' הַטּוֹבָה עָלֵינוּ.
In His great kindness and goodness until now, God has helped me explain the layout of the Future Beis HaMikdash, its chambers, its structures, its cells, its exits, and its entrances. Everything is thoroughly explained, inspired by the generous hand of God.6Cf. I Divrei HaYamim 28:19.
וּמְחֻיָּבִים אֲנַחְנוּ לְהַשְׁלִים דְּבָרֵינוּ בְּמַחְלֹקֶת הַתְּרוּמָה הַגְּדוֹלָה, מַה שֶּׁהוּא מִמֶּנָּה יָתֵר עַל הַר הַבַּיִת שֶׁבְּתוֹכָהּ, כַּאֲשֶׁר הִתְחַלְנוּ בָּהּ בְּרֵאשִׁית הַדְּבָרִים (פתיחה). וּרְצוֹנֵנוּ לְצַיְּרָהּ בִּכְלוֹת דְּבָרֵינוּ מִמֶּנָּה, וְנַעֲשֶׂה לָהּ סִימָנִיּוֹת וּלְעֻמָּתָן בִּדְבָרֵינוּ אֵלֶּה. וְתוֹעַלְתָּן מוּבָן מֵעַצְמוֹ, וּכְבָר זְכַרְנוּהָ בַּהַקְדָּמָה.
We are, however, obligated to complete our explanation of the area known as the Great Terumah, and discuss how its sides exceed the Temple Mount that is located within it, as we began explaining in our introductory words.7See the Preface. We hope to present an illustration of the Great Terumah at the conclusion of our description, along with numbers keyed to these explanations. The value of such a drawing is self-understood, and has been explained in the preface.
וְאַחֲרֵי שֶׁסִּימָנֵי צוּרַת הַבַּיִת עָלוּ עַד ע"ד, וְהַתְחָלָתֵנוּ בְּזֶה הַצִּיּוּר יִהְיֶה מֵהַר הַבַּיִת שֶׁהוּא הֶקֵּף הַבַּיִת כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ טֶרֶם בּוֹאֵנוּ אֶל הַסִּימָנִים (פתיחה), לְפִיכָךְ יִהְיֶה סִימַן הַר הַבַּיִת ע"ה, וְהַשֵּׁנִי לוֹ ע"ו, וּשְׁלִישִׁי לוֹ ע"ז, וְכֵן עַד גְּמִירָא.
Thus, after we have keyed the portions of the drawing of the House until the number 74, we will begin keying the description of the Temple Mount from the number 75, and continue in ascending order until the description is completed.8That drawing is found on page 274