Lower [on the mountain] than these chambers, as one comes from the east, approaching from the Outer Courtyard, along the width of the eastern wall of the courtyard, facing the edifice and the building, there were chambers. There was a passageway before them whose appearance was like the appearance of the chambers on the north, resembling their length, their width, all their exits, their dimensions, and their entrances resembling the entrances of the chambers to the south. There was an entrance at the beginning of the passageway, the passageway before the platform of the musicians, on the east, as one approaches.1Yechezkel 42:9-12.
Rashi comments on these verses: “Lower [on the mountain] than these chambers” – I do not know whether [the word mitachas] comes to teach that these chambers had underground passageways below them, or if it comes to teach that there were chambers on the eastern side of the courtyard. Since the mountain would slope downward on the eastern side, the verse describes them as “lower than these chambers,” i.e., the aforementioned chambers were on top of the mountain and these [chambers] were on its lower portion. It is as if the verse states, “Lower [on the mountain]…, as one comes from east, approaching from the Outer Courtyard. Along the width… of the courtyard” – [The verse is referring to] one who comes from the eastern portion of the Outer Courtyard, proceeding to the north via the northeast corner of the wall of the Inner Chamber on the outside. As he approaches these chambers on the north, he discovers along the eastern wall of the Inner Courtyard, which is to the west of the Outer Courtyard, facing “the edifice and the building,” “chambers” that are next to that wall and located in the Outer Courtyard.
“There was a passageway before them,” – i.e., before these chambers, there was a passageway with a width of 50 cubits that resembled the passageway of the chambers on the north[west] described previously
“Resembling their length,” – i.e., the length of these chambers was the same as those on the north[west], and so too, “their width.” [Similarly,] “their dimensions, and their entrances,” – were like those of the northern chambers. “Resembling the entrances to the chambers to the south” – were the entrances to the chambers on the east. For in the south[west] as well, there were chambers… near the side-chambers, as explained above.
“There was an entrance at the beginning of the passageway” – The chambers on the east had an entrance at the beginning of the passageway. This passageway was located before הַגְּדֶרֶת הֲגִינָה, translated by Targum Yonason as “the platform of the Levites.”
The phrase, “along the width of the eastern wall of the courtyard,” i.e., next to the eastern wall of the Inner Courtyard, seems to imply that the length of these chambers was built along the wall from north to south, and that their width ran from east to west. In actuality, this was not so. It is impossible that the structure was built in such a manner because there were cells with walls projecting 11 cubits into the Outer Courtyard from the eastern wall. If so, this courtyard will not have 100 cubits of open space, with the width of the chambers being 50 cubits, and with 50 cubits of open space in front of the chambers, like the chambers described previously. Also, it is difficult to understand via which path one would approach the gate of the courtyard. Surely, he would not approach the gate by passing through the chambers. Also, as explained in sec. 20, one of the attractive features of the gate to the Inner Courtyard was that the vestibule would project outward. Were these chambers to be constructed along the walls, the vestibule could not possibly be built in that manner.
7
וְאֵין לְפָרֵשׁבכאן שולל רבינו הצד לפרש שלשכות אלו אע”פ שארכן הוא מן המזרח למערב, מ”מ, כל שטחן הוא בשטח בין מזרחו של חומת חצר הפנימית שהוא במערב וחומת החיצונה במזרח. גַּם כֵּן שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אָרְכָּן מִמִּזְרָח לְמַעֲרָב, וְרָחְבָּן כְּנֶגֶד כֹּתֶל הֶחָצֵר מִצָּפוֹן לְדָרוֹם. שֶׁבְּלִיטַת הַתָּאִים וְכָתְלֵיהֶן מְמַעֲטִין [מִ]מֵאָה אָרְכָּן, וּמִטַּעַם שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר בְּסָמוּךְ גַּם כֵּן.
Nor is it possible to explain that the chambers’ length ran from east to west and their width ran along the wall of the courtyard from north to south, because as mentioned above, there were cells located there. These cells will not leave space for the 100 cubits of the chambers’ length. There is another reason why the chambers could not be constructed in this manner, which we will give presently.
Similarly, it does not appear that the chambers are located at the corners of the Inner Courtyard, one at the northeast corner and one at the southeast corner, with their length running from west to east like those described above. For if so, it would not be possible to walk from corner to corner in the Outer Courtyard unless one entered these chambers, for these chambers would take up the entire length of the east side of the Outer Courtyard, that was situated in front of the Inner Courtyard.2The length of the Outer Courtyard was 100 cubits and the length of these chambers was 100 cubits, so the chambers would occupy the entire length of the Outer Courtyard. Furthermore, it is not logical to say that one who walks from one corner of the Outer Courtyard to the opposite corner would have to pass through the chambers, as explained in the previous section with regard to passing through the upper chambers in order to reach the Twenty Cubit Space.3In that section, it was explained that the chambers were intended to be closed rooms, entered only at specific times.
Therefore, it appears that these chambers begin where the cells at the eastern flank of the northern gate to the Inner Courtyard end, and where the cells at the eastern flank of the southern gate end.4As explained previously, on the northern and southern sides of the Inner Courtyard, there were 11 cubits between the end of the cells and the end of the wall to the Inner Courtyard. These chambers would begin at this point. The chambers run from east to west, similar to those on the higher portion of the mountain. Thus, there will be a way to proceed from corner to corner in the Outer Courtyard without passing through the chambers. For the space gained from the chambers being positioned to the west, paralleling the end of the Inner Courtyard, and the thickness of its walls, will create ample space between the end of the chambers and the wall of the Outer Courtyard.5See sec. 74 where this calculation is explained. For the length of the Outer Courtyard to the east is the same as that of the chambers, and the chambers begin some distance before the beginning of the courtyard. In this conception, there is also an open space measuring 50 cubits in front of the chambers, as is true of the upper chambers. The chambers are built at the corner of the eastern wall. Thus, one is on the northeast corner of the Inner Courtyard. Accordingly, the verse mentions coming from the east and turning to the north. Nevertheless, these chambers do not begin exactly at the corner of the courtyard, but rather, are set off slightly from the courtyard’s corner.
It was explained6See sec. 71. that the upper chambers were actually 51 cubits wide – i.e., an extra cubit was added to the width stated in the verse. Such an addition can also be made with regard to these chambers, by including one cubit of the wall of the thickness of the wall of the Inner Courtyard. Thus, at the end of the wall and the chambers, one would be facing the Outer Courtyard. The chambers in the north jut out a cubit southward into the courtyard, and the chambers in south jut out a cubit northward into the courtyard. Thus, the chambers are actually 51 cubits wide. There is a courtyard in front of the chambers measuring 50 cubits wide, i.e., there are 50 cubits between the chambers on the northern side and the northern wall, and 50 cubits between the chambers on the southern side and the southern wall. Thus, these chambers resemble the chambers positioned higher on the mountain.
On this basis, we can understand Rashi’s explanation of the phrase, “facing the edifice and the building.”7Yechezkel 42:10. As explained, these chambers are built alongside the wall of the Inner Courtyard, and do not begin at the corner of the courtyard. Instead, the chambers are positioned slightly northward. As stated in sec. 21, there are vestibules built there, on the inside, alongside that wall. Thus, the chambers are built opposite these vestibules. If, however, the chambers began at the corners or before the eastern wall of the Inner Courtyard as was supposed, even though vestibules are also situated there, as explained in that section, the chambers themselves would not be facing the vestibules, only the end of their walls.
Following the conception above, however, a portion of the chambers is opposite “the building,” i.e., the vestibules, like the upper chambers that are built facing the building of the Beis HaMikdash. Alternatively, the term “building” can refer to a building in the inner chamber, i.e., the cells, for the chambers begin where the cells end. As we will explain in sec. 74, half a cubit of the wall of the outer cell enters the space of these chambers. Thus, the chambers can be described as being opposite the cells, because part of the cells’ area overlaps with the space designated for the chambers. All of this applies according to Rashi’s commentary.
13
אָמְנָם לְדַעְתִּי הַקְּלוּשָׁה נִרְאֶהדכוונת רבינו נראה שלפי פרש”י הכוונה במ”ש אל פני הגזרה וגו’ הבנין וגו’, פירושו שלשכות אלו אינם למזרח ממש אלא שחופפים אל הגזרה והבנין. ולפי”ז צ”ל שהגזרה הוא החצר והבנין קאי על אולמות שנמצאים בחלל חומת החצר הפנימית (או על התאים) ותחילת הלשכות מחוץ לחומה חופפין להם. אולם רבינו ממאן לפרש כן שהרי מצינו בכתוב (נתפרש לעיל סימן ס”ד-ס”ט) שהגזרה הכוונה לבנין הבית עצמו והבנין הכוונה על התאים מסביבות הגזרה. לכן מפרש רבינו שפירוש הכתוב כאן אל הגזרה וגו’ - לא שחופפין להם, אלא שמשוכין הלשכות כלפי מערב לכיוון הגזרה והבנין שהוא אותו בנין וגזרה הנ”ל, מבנה ההיכל והתאים. [שֶׁ]מַה שֶּׁאָמַר "אֶל פְּנֵי הַגִּזְרָה וְאֶל פְּנֵי הַבִּנְיָן", שֶׁרָצָה בָּזֶה לְבָאֵר לָנוּ מַה שֶּׁכָּתַבְנוּ שֶׁהַלְּשָׁכוֹת הַלָּלוּ הֵן מְשׁוּכִין לַאֲחוֹרָן לַמַּעֲרָב, וְאֵינָם שָׁוִים בְּאָרְכָּן הַמֵּאָה, לְאֹרֶךְ מֵאָה הֶחָצֵר שֶׁלִּפְנֵי קָדִים הַפְּנִימִי. וְהַיְנוּ אָמְרוֹ אֶל פְּנֵי הַגִּזְרָה וְהַבִּנְיָן, שֶׁעִם הֱיוֹת שֶׁהֵם בַּמָּבוֹא מֵהַקָּדִים, עִם כָּל זֶה לָאו בַּקָּדִים מַמָּשׁ הֵן, וְשֶׁהֵן בְּאָרְכָּן הַמֵּאָה מְמַלְּאִין אֹרֶךְ מֵאָה שֶׁל הֶחָצֵר שֶׁלְּשָׁם, אֶלָּא שֶׁהֵם מְשׁוּכִין קְצָת אֶל הַגִּזְרָה, הוּא הַבַּיִת. וְהַבִּנְיָן הֵם הַתָּאִים שֶׁסְּבִיב הַבַּיִת, כִּדְפֵרֵשׁ רַשִׁ"י בַּפָּסוּק (יחזקאל מא, יב) "וְהַבִּנְיָן אֲשֶׁר אֶל פְּנֵי הַגִּזְרָה וְגוֹ'", וַהֲבֵאתִיו בְּסִימָן ס"ד וכו'. כְּלוֹמַר, שֶׁהֵן מְשׁוּכִין לַמַּעֲרָב אֶל פְּנֵי הַגִּזְרָה וְכוּ' כִּדְפָרִישִׁית.
Nevertheless, according to my humble understanding, it appears that the phrase, “facing the edifice and the building,” is intended to highlight the concept stated above: that these chambers are positioned westward, behind the eastern wall. Their length of 100 cubits does not run entirely parallel to the 100 cubit length of the courtyard in front of the eastern wall. True, they are introduced with the phrase, “as one comes from east.”8Ibid.:9. Nevertheless, they do not begin at the easternmost point of that courtyard, occupying the entire length of that courtyard, but rather are set back a bit. Thus, they are positioned toward “the edifice,” i.e., the building of the Beis HaMikdash, and “the structure,” i.e. the side-chambers that surround that building, as Rashi explains in his interpretation of the phrase,9Ibid. 41:12. “the building that was on the outer side of the edifice,” as cited in sec. 64. Thus, the intent of the phrase here is that these chambers are positioned westward, toward the outer side of the edifice.
This interpretation of the phrase, “the edifice and the building,” is preferable to Rashi’s because elsewhere, that phrase is used only to refer to the building of the Beis HaMikdash and the cells. Also, the term “edifice” is not appropriate for the structures in the courtyard. Furthermore, those structures should be described with one term, either “edifice” or “building,” but not with both terms, because there was only one type of structure in the courtyard.
15
וְאָתִי נַמִּי שַׁפִּיר מַה שֶּׁאָמַר הַכָּתוּב (יחזקאל מב, יב) "פֶּתַח בְּרֹאשׁ דָּרֶךְ, דֶּרֶךְ בִּפְנֵי הַגְּדֶרֶת הֲגִינָה". שֶׁפֵּרֵשׁ רַשִׁ"י שֶׁהָיָה לָהֶם פֶּתַח בְּרֹאשׁ דֶּרֶךְ שֶׁלִּפְנֵי הַדּוּכָן, שֶׁכֵּן בְּרֹאשָׁןהמדברי רבינו משמע שהדרך להיכנס מלשכות אלו לעזרה היה בראש לשכות אלו. דהיינו שהיה פתח מחומת הלשכות ובחומת החצר הפנימית, המוליך אל תוך שטח העזרה, מרחק ארבע אמות ומחצה למערב ממזרח העזרה. משם הדרך מובילה לעזרת כהנים, שתחילת גבולו הוא בדוכן שנקרא בכתוב “גדרת הגינה”. וכנראה פתחים אלו משמשים לכניסת ישראל לעזרה. בַּמָּקוֹם שֶׁמַּתְחִילִין בִּכְלוֹת הַתָּאִים, הֵם כְּנֶגֶד חֲלַל חָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית כְּמוֹ ד' אַמּוֹת וּמֶחֱצָה כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר בְּסִימָן ע"ד. וּכְשֶׁיֵּשׁ מִשָּׁם פֶּתַח מֵהֶם אֶל חֲלַל הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית הוּא בָּרֹאשׁ דֶּרֶךְ הַדּוּכָן. לְפִי שֶׁכָּל מַהֲלַךְ רַגְלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁבְּהַתְחָלַת הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִי הוּא דֶּרֶךְ אֶל הַדּוּכָן שֶׁאַחֲרָיו, וּמַהֲלָכָן הוּא בְּי"ז אַמָּה עַד הַדּוּכָן כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי סִימָן כ"ו. וְנִמְצָא שֶׁהַפֶּתַח שֶׁבְּד' אַמּוֹת וּמֶחֱצָה הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת מֵהֶן, הוּא בְּרֹאשׁ הַדֶּרֶךְ שֶׁאֶל הַדּוּכָן.
The above also enables one to understand the phrase,10Ibid. 42:12. “There was an entrance at the beginning of the pathway, the pathway before the platform of the musicians.” Rashi interprets this phrase as meaning that these chambers had an entrance at the beginning of the pathway before the Duchan, the musicians’ platform. The place where the chambers begin is at the place where the cells end. This place is parallel to a point 4½ cubits from the beginning of the Inner Courtyard, as will be explained in sec. 74. The entrance leading from the chamber to the Inner Courtyard opens up at, “the pathway before the platform of the musicians,” i.e., the Duchan. The entire area through which the Israelites were allowed to enter leads to the Duchan, which is positioned beyond this area. As explained in sec. 26, there were 17 cubits from the entrance to the Inner Courtyard until the Duchan. Thus, the entrance that was within the first 4½ cubits was, “at the beginning of the pathway” leading to the Duchan.
Nevertheless, there is a difficulty regarding Rashi’s interpretation of the phrase: “Resembling the entrances to the chambers to the south” – [These] were the entrances to the chambers on the east. For in the south[west] as well, there were chambers… near the side-chambers, as explained above.
Why did Scripture describe the entrance to these chambers by comparing them to the chambers on south[west], which, unlike those in the north[west], were not discussed previously in the narrative? Indeed, in sec. 71, it was necessary to bring proofs that there were such chambers in the south[west].11See pp. 235-236. Moreover, even when describing these lower chambers, the narrative refers to the northern chambers, stating,12Yechezkel 42:9. “Lower [on the mountain] than these chambers.” The southern chambers were not mentioned or even alluded to until this verse. Only in the following verse13Ibid. 42:13. does the narrative mention these chambers, speaking of “the northern chambers and the southern chambers.” Moreover, the fact that there is a courtyard 50 cubits long in front of this chamber is derived from the fact that there was such a space in the north, as the verse states,14Ibid. 42:11. “There was a passageway before them whose appearance was resembled that of the chambers on the north.” Why, then, weren’t the entrances also associated with those of the northern chambers?
Therefore, it appears that the verse should be understood according to Targum Yonason’s interpretation:15Ibid, 42:12. “Resembling the gates of the chambers that opened to the pathway on the south.” The words “on the south” do not refer to the chambers but to the entrances. The intent is that the chamber’s entrances open to the south. Therefore, the chamber to which reference is being made is the northern chamber. It has entrances leading to the Twenty Cubit Space between it and the cells which are to its south, as explained in sec. 71. Similarly, the verse is teaching that the lower chambers also opened to the south. In that direction, they had “an entrance at the beginning of the pathway,” leading to the Inner Courtyard. Therefore, the previous mention of the entrances in the narrative is not sufficient, for the phrase in this verse is teaching that the chamber had an additional entrance at the beginning of the pathway. Thus, the verse is teaching that just as the upper northern chambers had an entrance to the south leading to the Twenty Cubit Space, as we explained, so too, the lower chambers had an entrance to the south. In addition, the lower chambers had another entrance “at the beginning of the pathway.”
19
וּמַתְחִיל וְאוֹמֵר, וּכְפִתְחֵי הַלְּשָׁכוֹת הַפְּתוּחִין דֶּרֶךְ הַדָּרוֹם שֶׁהוּא אֶל הָאֲוִיר הָעֶשְׂרִים, כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי, כְּמוֹ כֵן אֵלּוּ פְּתוּחִים לְשָׁם, וְעוֹד פֶּתַח לָהֶם בְּרֹאשׁ דָּרֶךְ. אוֹ שֶׁפֶּתַח זוֹ בִּלְבַד לָהֶם, בִּמְקוֹם פִּתְחֵי הַלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה אֶל הַדָּרוֹם. אֲבָל יוֹתֵר נִרְאֶה לְפָרֵשׁ וְעוֹדושמילת בראש דרך, הוא ענין חדש דהיינו, שיש עוד פתח שם. פֶּתַח, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ פְּתוּחִים גַּם כֵּן אֶל הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה בַּדְּרוֹמִי שֶׁלָּהֶן.
The narrative begins by stating “Resembling the gates of the chambers that opened to the pathway on the south.” These chambers also have an opening to that direction. Moreover, they have another entrance “at the beginning of the pathway.” Alternatively, perhaps this is the only entrance these chambers had. Since this entrance also opened to the south, it could be the entrance referred to by the verse’s first clause. It is, however, more likely that there were two entrances, both opening to the south - one leading to the Inner Courtyard and one leading to the Outer Courtyard.
20
וְיֵשׁ לְיַשֵּׁב דִּבְרֵי רַשִׁ"י ז"ל שֶׁלְּפִי שֶׁבָּא לְפָרֵשׁ פֶּתַח שֶׁבַּדָּרוֹם שֶׁלָּהֶן, וְלַדָּרוֹם שֶׁלָּהֶן אֵין כָּאן אֲוִיר עֶשְׂרִים כְּמוֹ לְאוֹתָן שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה כִּי אִם חָצֵר מְרֻוָּח. לְפִיכָךְ תְּלָאוֹ בַּלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁבַּדָּרוֹם, שֶׁהֵם פְּתוּחִין בַּדָּרוֹם שֶׁלָּהֶן גַּם כֵּן אֶל הֶחָצֵר מְרֻוָּח, שֶׁאֲוִיר הָעֶשְׂרִים בִּצְפוֹנָם הוּאזלהשלמת הענין יש להעתיק דברי רבינו בצורת הבית המחודש (מב, יב) וז”ל: וכפתחי הלשכות אשר דרך הדרום, היו פתחי לשכות הקדים. שאף בדרום היו לשכות כו’. ויש לתמוה, למה תלאן הכתוב באותן לשכות אשר עדיין לא הועלו על הכתוב, והוי כדתלי תניא בדלא תניא. ועוד, שלכל שאר עניניהם תלאן בלשכות הצפוניות, וכפי הנכון. לכן נראה כפירוש תרגום יונתן שתרגם ובתרעי לשכתא דפתיח באורח דרומא. שירצה לומר, שמה שאמר הכתוב, אשר דרך הדרום, אינו מוסב על תיבת הלשכות אלא על תיבת וכפתחי, לומר שבפתחי הלשכות הפתוחות לדרום. ולעולם בלשכות הצפוניות קא מיירי וכאמר, שכמו שלאותן היו להם פתחים אל אויר העשרים שביניהם לבין התאים, והוא דרום שלהן, כמו כן אף אלו הן פתוחין לאותו הרוח, ושם יש להן פתח בראש דרך, וכמו שיתבאר. ולפיכך לא סגי ליה במה שאמר קודם זה (יא) וכפתחיהן וגו’, שהם אמנם הפתחים שכלפי צפון לצד החצר החיצונה, ועכשיו בא לומר שהיה להם פתח יתירה פתוח לראש דרך שיתבאר בסמוך, וכה אמר שבפתחי הלשכות העליונות פתוחות לדרום, היינו לאויר העשרים, כן אלו פתוחים לדרום, ואמנם לראש דרך שיתבאר בסמוך. או יש לפרש, שהיו פתוחים ג”כ כלפי דרום, ולתוך החצר, כפתחי אותן לשכות. וכאמור. ומה שאמר פתח בראש דרך, ירצה שעוד להם פתח בראש דרך שיתבאר בסמוך. ועכשיו פתוחים לדרום לתוך החצר, מול הפתחים שלתוך החצר לצפון כמו העליונות, אלא שלאלו היה עוד פתח בראש דרך, כדי ליכנס מהם לתוך חצר הפנימי גם כן. וקצת יש ליישב פירוש רש”י, דלכך תלאן בלשכות הדרום, לפי שבפתח לשכות הדרום לצד דרום היו אל החצר, לא אויר העשרים. לפי שאל אויר העשרים הוא להם לצפון, וכן גם אלו הפתחים שלאלו הלשכות היו לצד דרום של אויר החצר, לכן תלאן בשל דרום. ומ”מ מה שפרשתי לפי תרגום יונתן, נראה יותר. עכ”ל.. וּמִכָּל מָקוֹם דִּבְרֵי תַּרְגּוּם יוֹנָתָן נִרְאִין יוֹתֵר.
It is possible to explain Rashi’s reasoning as follows: The entrance of the upper northern chamber to the south opened to the Twenty Cubit Space. Since the opening of the lower northern chamber16This explanation follows the conception that there were two openings to the lower chamber. led to a far more spacious area, it is not comparable to the upper northern chamber. Therefore, Rashi compared it to the southern chambers, for their opening on the south also led to a more spacious area – in contrast to their opening to the north which led to the Twenty Cubit Space. Nevertheless, the interpretation of Targum Yonason seems more accurate.
"וּמִתַּחַת הַלְּשָׁכוֹת הָאֵלֶּה הַמֵּבִוא מֵהַקָּדִים בְּבֹאוֹ לָהֵנָּה מֵהֶחָצֵר הַחִצֹנָה בְּרֹחַב גֶּדֶר הֶחָצֵר דֶּרֶךְ הַקָּדִים אֶל פְּנֵי הַגִּזְרָה וְאֶל פְּנֵי הַבִּנְיָן, לְשָׁכוֹת. וְדֶרֶךְ לִפְנֵיהֶם כְּמַרְאֵה הַלְּשָׁכוֹת אֲשֶׁר דֶּרֶךְ הַצָּפוֹן, כְּאָרְכָּן כֵּן רָחְבָּן. וְכֹל מוֹצָאֵיהֶן וּכְמִשְׁפְּטֵיהֶן וּכְפִתְחֵיהֶן, וּכְפִתְחֵי הַלְּשָׁכוֹת אֲשֶׁר דֶּרֶךְ הַדָּרוֹם, פֶּתַח בְּרֹאשׁ דָּרֶךְ, דֶּרֶךְ בִּפְנֵי הַגְּדֶרֶת הֲגִינָה דֶּרֶךְ הַקָּדִים בְּבוֹאָן" (יחזקאל מב, ט-יב).
Lower [on the mountain] than these chambers, as one comes from the east, approaching from the Outer Courtyard, along the width of the eastern wall of the courtyard, facing the edifice and the building, there were chambers. There was a passageway before them whose appearance was like the appearance of the chambers on the north, resembling their length, their width, all their exits, their dimensions, and their entrances resembling the entrances of the chambers to the south. There was an entrance at the beginning of the passageway, the passageway before the platform of the musicians, on the east, as one approaches.1Yechezkel 42:9-12.
כָּתַב רַשִׁ"י ז"ל: אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ אִם בָּא לְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיוּ לָהֶם מְחִלּוֹת מִתַּחְתֵּיהֶם, אוֹ בָּא לְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיוּ לְשָׁכוֹת בְּמִזְרַח הֶחָצֵר. וּלְפִי שֶׁהָהָר הוֹלֵךְ וּמְשַׁפֵּעַ לְצַד הַמִּזְרָח קוֹרֵא לוֹ "וּמִתַּחַת הַלְּשָׁכוֹת הָאֵלֶּה", שֶׁאֵלּוּ בְּגָבְהוֹ וְאֵלּוּ בְּשִׁפּוּלוֹ. וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר, וּבְשִׁפּוּלוֹ שֶׁל חָצֵר - אֶל הַמָּבוֹא אֲשֶׁר מֵהַקָּדִים "בְּבֹאוֹ לָהֵנָּה מֵהֶחָצֵר הַחִיצֹנָה, בְּרֹחַב גֶּדֶר הֶחָצֵר וְגוֹ'". הַבָּא מִן הַקָּדִים שֶׁל חָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה, וְסוֹבֵב אֶל הַצָּפוֹן דֶּרֶךְ מִקְצוֹעַ צְפוֹנִית מִזְרָחִית שֶׁל חוֹמוֹת הַפְּנִימִית מִבַּחוּץ. לָבֹא לְאוֹתָן הַלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁבַּצָּפוֹן, מוֹצֵא עַל פְּנֵי גֶּדֶר הֶחָצֵר - כֹּתֶל מִזְרָח שֶׁל חָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית, שֶׁהִיא מַעֲרָבִית לַחִיצוֹנִית, כְּנֶגֶד הַגִּזְרָה וְהַבִּנְיָן שֶׁבַּפְּנִימִית - "לְשָׁכוֹת" סְמוּכוֹת לְאוֹתוֹ הַכֹּתֶל וְעוֹמְדוֹת בַּחִיצוֹנָה.
Rashi comments on these verses: “Lower [on the mountain] than these chambers” – I do not know whether [the word mitachas] comes to teach that these chambers had underground passageways below them, or if it comes to teach that there were chambers on the eastern side of the courtyard. Since the mountain would slope downward on the eastern side, the verse describes them as “lower than these chambers,” i.e., the aforementioned chambers were on top of the mountain and these [chambers] were on its lower portion. It is as if the verse states, “Lower [on the mountain]…, as one comes from east, approaching from the Outer Courtyard. Along the width… of the courtyard” – [The verse is referring to] one who comes from the eastern portion of the Outer Courtyard, proceeding to the north via the northeast corner of the wall of the Inner Chamber on the outside. As he approaches these chambers on the north, he discovers along the eastern wall of the Inner Courtyard, which is to the west of the Outer Courtyard, facing “the edifice and the building,” “chambers” that are next to that wall and located in the Outer Courtyard.
[וְדֶרֶךְ לִפְנֵיהֶם], לִפְנֵי הַלְּשָׁכוֹת הַלָּלוּ יֵשׁ דֶּרֶךְ רֹחַב אֲוִיר הֶחָצֵר חֲמִשִּׁים אַמָּה, כְּמַרְאֵה דֶּרֶךְ הַלְּשָׁכוֹת אֲשֶׁר בְּצַד הַצָּפוֹן הַכְּתוּבוֹת לְמַעְלָה (שם ז-ח).
“There was a passageway before them,” – i.e., before these chambers, there was a passageway with a width of 50 cubits that resembled the passageway of the chambers on the north[west] described previously
"כְּאָרְכָּן" שֶׁל לְשָׁכוֹת הַצָּפוֹן אָרְכָּן שֶׁל אֵלּוּ, וְכֵן רָחְבָּן, "וּכְמִשְׁפְּטֵיהֶן וּכְפִתְחֵיהֶן" שֶׁל לִשְׁכוֹת הַצָּפוֹן, "וּכְפִתְחֵי הַלְּשָׁכוֹת אֲשֶׁר דֶּרֶךְ הַדָּרוֹם" הָיוּ פִּתְחֵי לִשְׁכוֹת הַקָּדִים. שֶׁאַף בַּדָּרוֹם הָיוּ לְשָׁכוֹת מֻבְדָּלוֹת אֵצֶל הַתָּאִים [וְגוֹ'] כְּמוֹ שֶׁנִּתְבָּאֵר לְמַעְלָה.
“Resembling their length,” – i.e., the length of these chambers was the same as those on the north[west], and so too, “their width.” [Similarly,] “their dimensions, and their entrances,” – were like those of the northern chambers. “Resembling the entrances to the chambers to the south” – were the entrances to the chambers on the east. For in the south[west] as well, there were chambers… near the side-chambers, as explained above.
"פֶּתַח בְּרֹאשׁ דָּרֶךְ", פֶּתַח הָיָה לָהֶם לְלִשְׁכוֹת הַקָּדִים בְּרֹאשׁ דָּרֶךְ, וְהַדֶּרֶךְ הָיָה בִּפְנֵי הַגְּדֶרֶת הֲגִינָה, תִּרְגֵּם יוֹנָתָן: דּוּכַן לִיוָאֵי וְכוּ', עכ"ל.
“There was an entrance at the beginning of the passageway” – The chambers on the east had an entrance at the beginning of the passageway. This passageway was located before הַגְּדֶרֶת הֲגִינָה, translated by Targum Yonason as “the platform of the Levites.”
אַף עַל פִּיארבינו שולל כאן מה שמשמע לכאורה, שבשונה מלשכות המערביות - הלשכות המזרחיות ארכן מן הצפון לדרום ורחבן מן המזרח. וע”ז מוכיח רבינו שלא כן הוא. שֶׁמִּמַּה שֶּׁכָּתוּב מוֹצֵא עַל פְּנֵי גֶּדֶר הֶחָצֵר כֹּתֶל מִזְרָח שֶׁל חָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית וְכוּ' סְמוּכוֹת לְאוֹתוֹ הַכֹּתֶל כוּ' - מַשְׁמָע שֶׁאֵלּוּ הַלְּשָׁכוֹת בְּנוּיִין אָרְכָּן עַל פְּנֵי הַגָּדֵר מִצָּפוֹן לַדָּרוֹם, וְרָחְבָּן מִמִּזְרָח לַמַּעֲרָב. אֵין הַדָּבָר כָּךְ, לְפִי שֶׁאִי אֶפְשָׁר לְפָרֵשׁ כֵּן, שֶׁהֲרֵי הָיוּ לְשָׁם תָּאִים הַבּוֹלְטִין עִם כָּתְלֵיהֶן י"א אַמָּה אֶל הֶחָצֵר. וְלֹא יִהְיֶה אִם כֵּן מֵאָה חָצֵר, שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בָּהֶן חֲמִשִּׁים רֹחַב הַלְּשָׁכוֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁים חָצֵר לִפְנֵיהֶן כְּמוֹ שֶׁאֶל הַלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה. וְכֵן לֹא יַעַמְדוּ בְּאֹרֶךְ וְרֹחַב שֶׁלָּהֶן כְּאוֹתָן שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה. וְעוֹד; אֵיזֶה דֶּרֶךְ יֵלְכוּ אֶל הַשַּׁעַר שֶׁל הֶחָצֵר, הַאִם יֵלְכוּ דֶּרֶךְ הַלְּשָׁכוֹת אֶל הַשַּׁעַר, אֶתְמָהָה. וְלֹא יִהְיֶה גַּם כֵּן הַנּוֹי שֶׁבִּבְלִיטַת אוּלַם שַׁעַר הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִי, דְּפָרִישִׁית בְּסִימָן כ'.
The phrase, “along the width of the eastern wall of the courtyard,” i.e., next to the eastern wall of the Inner Courtyard, seems to imply that the length of these chambers was built along the wall from north to south, and that their width ran from east to west. In actuality, this was not so. It is impossible that the structure was built in such a manner because there were cells with walls projecting 11 cubits into the Outer Courtyard from the eastern wall. If so, this courtyard will not have 100 cubits of open space, with the width of the chambers being 50 cubits, and with 50 cubits of open space in front of the chambers, like the chambers described previously. Also, it is difficult to understand via which path one would approach the gate of the courtyard. Surely, he would not approach the gate by passing through the chambers. Also, as explained in sec. 20, one of the attractive features of the gate to the Inner Courtyard was that the vestibule would project outward. Were these chambers to be constructed along the walls, the vestibule could not possibly be built in that manner.
וְאֵין לְפָרֵשׁבכאן שולל רבינו הצד לפרש שלשכות אלו אע”פ שארכן הוא מן המזרח למערב, מ”מ, כל שטחן הוא בשטח בין מזרחו של חומת חצר הפנימית שהוא במערב וחומת החיצונה במזרח. גַּם כֵּן שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אָרְכָּן מִמִּזְרָח לְמַעֲרָב, וְרָחְבָּן כְּנֶגֶד כֹּתֶל הֶחָצֵר מִצָּפוֹן לְדָרוֹם. שֶׁבְּלִיטַת הַתָּאִים וְכָתְלֵיהֶן מְמַעֲטִין [מִ]מֵאָה אָרְכָּן, וּמִטַּעַם שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר בְּסָמוּךְ גַּם כֵּן.
Nor is it possible to explain that the chambers’ length ran from east to west and their width ran along the wall of the courtyard from north to south, because as mentioned above, there were cells located there. These cells will not leave space for the 100 cubits of the chambers’ length. There is another reason why the chambers could not be constructed in this manner, which we will give presently.
וְכֵן אֵין נִרְאֶה לְפָרֵשׁגרבינו שולל סברא לומר שהלשכות שנתונים למקצוע צפונית מזרחית ודרומית מזרחית, מתחילות רק אחר סיום חומות הפנימית הדרומית והצפונית. שֶׁהֵן [הָאַחַת] בְּמִקְצוֹעַ צְפוֹנִית מִזְרָחִית הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִי, [וְהַשֵּׁנִית בְּמִקְצוֹעַ דְּרוֹמִית מִזְרָחִית הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִי], וְאָרְכָּן מִמַּעֲרָב לַמִּזְרָח כְּאוֹתָן שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה. דְּאִם כֵּן; אֵין כָּאן מָקוֹם לַהֲלֹךְ מִפִּנָּה לְפִנָּה בֶּחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה כִּי אִם דֶּרֶךְ הַלְּשָׁכוֹת, שֶׁהֲרֵי הַלְּשָׁכוֹת מְמַלְּאִין כָּל אֹרֶךְ הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה שֶׁלִּפְנֵי הַפְּנִימִית לַקָּדִים. וְזֶה אֵין נִרְאֶה שֶׁיְּהֵא הַמְּהַלֵּךְ מִפִּנָּה לְפִנָּה בֶּחָצֵר דֶּרֶךְ הַלְּשָׁכוֹת מֵהַטַּעַם שֶׁפֵּרַשְׁתִּי לְמַעְלָה בַּסִּימָן הַקּוֹדֵם לְעִנְיַן הַלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה, שֶׁלֹּא יֵלְכוּ מִפִּתְחֵיהֶן מֵהֶחָצֵר אֶל אֲוִיר הָעֶשְׂרִים.
Similarly, it does not appear that the chambers are located at the corners of the Inner Courtyard, one at the northeast corner and one at the southeast corner, with their length running from west to east like those described above. For if so, it would not be possible to walk from corner to corner in the Outer Courtyard unless one entered these chambers, for these chambers would take up the entire length of the east side of the Outer Courtyard, that was situated in front of the Inner Courtyard.2The length of the Outer Courtyard was 100 cubits and the length of these chambers was 100 cubits, so the chambers would occupy the entire length of the Outer Courtyard. Furthermore, it is not logical to say that one who walks from one corner of the Outer Courtyard to the opposite corner would have to pass through the chambers, as explained in the previous section with regard to passing through the upper chambers in order to reach the Twenty Cubit Space.3In that section, it was explained that the chambers were intended to be closed rooms, entered only at specific times.
לְכָךְ נִרְאֶה שֶׁבַּמָּקוֹם שֶׁכָּלִים אוֹתָם הַתָּאִים שֶׁל הַשַּׁעַר הַצְּפוֹנִי [שֶׁל הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית] שֶׁבְּכֶתֶף הַשַּׁעַר לַמִּזְרָח, בְּכַלּוֹתָן מַתְחִילִין אֵלּוּ הַלְּשָׁכוֹת, וְכֵן בַּשַּׁעַר הַדְּרוֹמִי [שֶׁל הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית]. וְאָרְכָּן עוֹמֵד מִמִּזְרָח לְמַעֲרָב כְּאוֹתָן שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה, וְהִנֵּה יֵשׁ דֶּרֶךְ וּמָבוֹא מִפִּנָּה לְפִנָּה בֶּחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה. כִּי כְּנֶגֶד מַה שֶּׁהֵם מְשׁוּכִין לְאָחוֹר לְצַד מַעֲרָב, וְהֵם בְּנוּיִין כְּנֶגֶד הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית וְעֹבִי כָּתְלָהּ הַמִּזְרָחִית כְּנֶגְדָּן, יִהְיֶה מָקוֹם מְרֻוָּח לִפְנֵיהֶם לַמִּזְרָח מִסּוֹפָן עַד כֹּתֶל הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה. שֶׁהֲרֵי אָרְכּוֹ שֶׁל הֶחָצֵר לַקָּדִים כְּאֹרֶךְ הַלְּשָׁכוֹת, וְהֵם מְשׁוּכִין לַאֲחוֹרָן, וּמַשְׁכַּחַת נַמִּי לִפְנֵיהֶם רֹחַב חֲמִשִּׁים אַמָּה חָצֵר כְּאוֹתָן שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה. וְהֵם בְּנוּיִים בְּגֶדֶר הַמִּזְרָח בַּמִּקְצוֹעַ שֶׁלָּהּ, וּסְמוּכִין לְכָתְלָהּ, כְּלוֹמַר בְּסוֹפָהּ. וּלְכָךְ אַסְבְּרַהּ לָהּ בְּבוֹאוֹ מֵהַקָּדִים וְסוֹבֵב אֶל הַצָּפוֹן - שֶׁכֵּן הֵם בְּמִקְצוֹעַ מִזְרָחִית צְפוֹנִית, אֶלָּא שֶׁאֵין מַתְחִילִין בַּמִּקְצוֹעַ מַמָּשׁ אֶלָּא כִּדְפָרִישִׁית.
Therefore, it appears that these chambers begin where the cells at the eastern flank of the northern gate to the Inner Courtyard end, and where the cells at the eastern flank of the southern gate end.4As explained previously, on the northern and southern sides of the Inner Courtyard, there were 11 cubits between the end of the cells and the end of the wall to the Inner Courtyard. These chambers would begin at this point. The chambers run from east to west, similar to those on the higher portion of the mountain. Thus, there will be a way to proceed from corner to corner in the Outer Courtyard without passing through the chambers. For the space gained from the chambers being positioned to the west, paralleling the end of the Inner Courtyard, and the thickness of its walls, will create ample space between the end of the chambers and the wall of the Outer Courtyard.5See sec. 74 where this calculation is explained. For the length of the Outer Courtyard to the east is the same as that of the chambers, and the chambers begin some distance before the beginning of the courtyard. In this conception, there is also an open space measuring 50 cubits in front of the chambers, as is true of the upper chambers. The chambers are built at the corner of the eastern wall. Thus, one is on the northeast corner of the Inner Courtyard. Accordingly, the verse mentions coming from the east and turning to the north. Nevertheless, these chambers do not begin exactly at the corner of the courtyard, but rather, are set off slightly from the courtyard’s corner.
וְאַף אוֹתָהּ אַמָּה הַיְּתֵרָה שֶׁהִכְנַסְנוּ בַּלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה, וְכָתַבְנוּ (סימן ע"א) שֶׁהֵם בְּעַצְמָן חֲמִשִּׁים וְאַחַת אַמּוֹת, נוּכַל גַּם כֵּן לְהַכְנִיס כְּמוֹ כֵן בְּאֵלּוּ הַלְּשָׁכוֹת אַמָּה אַחַת מֵעֹבִי הַכֹּתֶל שֶׁל חָצֵר הַפְּנִימִי. וּבִכְלוֹת הַכֹּתֶל וְהַלְּשָׁכוֹת [שֶׁבַּצָּפוֹן לַמַּעֲרָב], הֵם כְּנֶגֶד הֶחָצֵר [הַפְּנִימִית], שָׁם בּוֹלְטִין אַמָּה אֶל הֶחָצֵר לַדָּרוֹם. וְהַלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁבַּדָּרוֹם בּוֹלְטִין אֶל הֶחָצֵר [הַפְּנִימִית] בִּכְלוֹתָן [לַמַּעֲרָב] (מִ)כְּנֶגֶד הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית אַמָּה אַחַת אֶל הֶחָצֵר לַצָּפוֹן. וְנִמְצָא שֶׁהֵם בְּעַצְמָן, הֵן נ"א אַמּוֹת, וְהֶחָצֵר לִפְנֵיהֶם חֲמִשִּׁים. לִפְנֵי הַלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁבַּצָּפוֹן יִהְיֶה הֶחָצֵר לִפְנֵיהֶם [חֲמִשִּׁים] לַצָּפוֹן, וְלִפְנֵי הַלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁבַּדָּרוֹם יִהְיֶה הֶחָצֵר לִפְנֵיהֶם חֲמִשִּׁים לַדָּרוֹם, כַּדֻּגְמָא שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה (שם).
It was explained6See sec. 71. that the upper chambers were actually 51 cubits wide – i.e., an extra cubit was added to the width stated in the verse. Such an addition can also be made with regard to these chambers, by including one cubit of the wall of the thickness of the wall of the Inner Courtyard. Thus, at the end of the wall and the chambers, one would be facing the Outer Courtyard. The chambers in the north jut out a cubit southward into the courtyard, and the chambers in south jut out a cubit northward into the courtyard. Thus, the chambers are actually 51 cubits wide. There is a courtyard in front of the chambers measuring 50 cubits wide, i.e., there are 50 cubits between the chambers on the northern side and the northern wall, and 50 cubits between the chambers on the southern side and the southern wall. Thus, these chambers resemble the chambers positioned higher on the mountain.
וְהַשְׁתָּא אָתִי שַׁפִּיר מַה שֶּׁכָּתַב רַשִׁ"י ז"ל כְּנֶגֶד הַגִּזְרָה וְהַבִּנְיָן שֶׁבַּפְּנִימִית. לְפִי שֶׁנִּתְבָּאֵר, שֶׁהָיוּ בְּנוּיִין כְּנֶגֶד הַחוֹמָה שֶׁל הַפְּנִימִית וְלֹא שֶׁהִתְחִילוּ בְּמִקְצוֹעַ מַמָּשׁ. וְשָׁם בְּנוּיִין אוּלָמוֹת בִּפְנִים כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי סִימָן כ"א, וְהִנֵּה הַלְּשָׁכוֹת בְּעַצְמָן בְּנוּיִין כְּנֶגְדָּן. אֲבָל כְּשֶׁיִּהְיוּ הַלְּשָׁכוֹת מַתְחִילִין בַּמִּקְצוֹעַ אוֹ מִלִּפְנֵי כֹּתֶל הֶחָצֵר הַמִּזְרָחִית כִּדְסָלְקָא אַדַעְתִּין, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁגַּם לְשָׁם אוּלָמוֹת כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי הָתָם, עִם כָּל זֶה אֵין מֵהַלְּשָׁכוֹת כְּנֶגְדָּן, כִּי אִם כֹּתֶל שֶׁלָּהֶם בְּסוֹפָן. אֲבָל עַכְשָׁו הֵם בְּנוּיִין בְּמִקְצָתָן כְּנֶגְדָּן, כְּמוֹ שֶׁאוֹתָן שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה בְּנוּיִין כְּנֶגֶד הַבַּיִת בְּאֹפֶן זֶה.
On this basis, we can understand Rashi’s explanation of the phrase, “facing the edifice and the building.”7Yechezkel 42:10. As explained, these chambers are built alongside the wall of the Inner Courtyard, and do not begin at the corner of the courtyard. Instead, the chambers are positioned slightly northward. As stated in sec. 21, there are vestibules built there, on the inside, alongside that wall. Thus, the chambers are built opposite these vestibules. If, however, the chambers began at the corners or before the eastern wall of the Inner Courtyard as was supposed, even though vestibules are also situated there, as explained in that section, the chambers themselves would not be facing the vestibules, only the end of their walls.
אִי נַמִּי יֵשׁ לְפָרֵשׁ הַבִּנְיָן שֶׁבַּפְּנִימִית הֵם הַתָּאִים, שֶׁהֲרֵי בְּסוֹפָן מַתְחִילִין הַלְּשָׁכוֹת. וַאֲנַחְנוּ נְפָרֵשׁ לְקַמָּן בְּסִימָן ע"ד שֶׁחֲצִי אַמָּה מִכֹּתֶל תָּא הַחִיצוֹן כְּנוּסָה לְתוֹךְ אֵלּוּ הַלְּשָׁכוֹת. עַיֵּן עָלָיו, וַהֲוָה שַׁפִּיר כְּנֶגְדָּן, כֵּיוָן שֶׁכְּנוּסִין הֵן בָּהֶן בִּקְצָת מֵהֵן, כָּל זֶה לְפֵרוּשׁ רַשִׁ"י.
Following the conception above, however, a portion of the chambers is opposite “the building,” i.e., the vestibules, like the upper chambers that are built facing the building of the Beis HaMikdash. Alternatively, the term “building” can refer to a building in the inner chamber, i.e., the cells, for the chambers begin where the cells end. As we will explain in sec. 74, half a cubit of the wall of the outer cell enters the space of these chambers. Thus, the chambers can be described as being opposite the cells, because part of the cells’ area overlaps with the space designated for the chambers. All of this applies according to Rashi’s commentary.
אָמְנָם לְדַעְתִּי הַקְּלוּשָׁה נִרְאֶהדכוונת רבינו נראה שלפי פרש”י הכוונה במ”ש אל פני הגזרה וגו’ הבנין וגו’, פירושו שלשכות אלו אינם למזרח ממש אלא שחופפים אל הגזרה והבנין. ולפי”ז צ”ל שהגזרה הוא החצר והבנין קאי על אולמות שנמצאים בחלל חומת החצר הפנימית (או על התאים) ותחילת הלשכות מחוץ לחומה חופפין להם. אולם רבינו ממאן לפרש כן שהרי מצינו בכתוב (נתפרש לעיל סימן ס”ד-ס”ט) שהגזרה הכוונה לבנין הבית עצמו והבנין הכוונה על התאים מסביבות הגזרה. לכן מפרש רבינו שפירוש הכתוב כאן אל הגזרה וגו’ - לא שחופפין להם, אלא שמשוכין הלשכות כלפי מערב לכיוון הגזרה והבנין שהוא אותו בנין וגזרה הנ”ל, מבנה ההיכל והתאים. [שֶׁ]מַה שֶּׁאָמַר "אֶל פְּנֵי הַגִּזְרָה וְאֶל פְּנֵי הַבִּנְיָן", שֶׁרָצָה בָּזֶה לְבָאֵר לָנוּ מַה שֶּׁכָּתַבְנוּ שֶׁהַלְּשָׁכוֹת הַלָּלוּ הֵן מְשׁוּכִין לַאֲחוֹרָן לַמַּעֲרָב, וְאֵינָם שָׁוִים בְּאָרְכָּן הַמֵּאָה, לְאֹרֶךְ מֵאָה הֶחָצֵר שֶׁלִּפְנֵי קָדִים הַפְּנִימִי. וְהַיְנוּ אָמְרוֹ אֶל פְּנֵי הַגִּזְרָה וְהַבִּנְיָן, שֶׁעִם הֱיוֹת שֶׁהֵם בַּמָּבוֹא מֵהַקָּדִים, עִם כָּל זֶה לָאו בַּקָּדִים מַמָּשׁ הֵן, וְשֶׁהֵן בְּאָרְכָּן הַמֵּאָה מְמַלְּאִין אֹרֶךְ מֵאָה שֶׁל הֶחָצֵר שֶׁלְּשָׁם, אֶלָּא שֶׁהֵם מְשׁוּכִין קְצָת אֶל הַגִּזְרָה, הוּא הַבַּיִת. וְהַבִּנְיָן הֵם הַתָּאִים שֶׁסְּבִיב הַבַּיִת, כִּדְפֵרֵשׁ רַשִׁ"י בַּפָּסוּק (יחזקאל מא, יב) "וְהַבִּנְיָן אֲשֶׁר אֶל פְּנֵי הַגִּזְרָה וְגוֹ'", וַהֲבֵאתִיו בְּסִימָן ס"ד וכו'. כְּלוֹמַר, שֶׁהֵן מְשׁוּכִין לַמַּעֲרָב אֶל פְּנֵי הַגִּזְרָה וְכוּ' כִּדְפָרִישִׁית.
Nevertheless, according to my humble understanding, it appears that the phrase, “facing the edifice and the building,” is intended to highlight the concept stated above: that these chambers are positioned westward, behind the eastern wall. Their length of 100 cubits does not run entirely parallel to the 100 cubit length of the courtyard in front of the eastern wall. True, they are introduced with the phrase, “as one comes from east.”8Ibid.:9. Nevertheless, they do not begin at the easternmost point of that courtyard, occupying the entire length of that courtyard, but rather are set back a bit. Thus, they are positioned toward “the edifice,” i.e., the building of the Beis HaMikdash, and “the structure,” i.e. the side-chambers that surround that building, as Rashi explains in his interpretation of the phrase,9Ibid. 41:12. “the building that was on the outer side of the edifice,” as cited in sec. 64. Thus, the intent of the phrase here is that these chambers are positioned westward, toward the outer side of the edifice.
וְאָתָא הַגִּזְרָה וְהַבִּנְיָן שַׁפִּיר טְפֵי מִלְּפֵרוּשׁ רַשִׁ"י, דְּלָא אַשְׁכְּחַן הַאי לִישְׁנָא כִּי אִם עַל הַבַּיִת וְהַתָּאִים. וְעוֹד מַה גִּזְרָה וּבִנְיָן שַׁיָּךְ בֶּחָצֵר - אוֹ גִּזְרָה אוֹ בִּנְיָן. אֲבָל שְׁנֵי בִּנְיָנִים חֲלוּקִים לָא אַשְׁכְּחַן בְּגַוֵּיהּ.
This interpretation of the phrase, “the edifice and the building,” is preferable to Rashi’s because elsewhere, that phrase is used only to refer to the building of the Beis HaMikdash and the cells. Also, the term “edifice” is not appropriate for the structures in the courtyard. Furthermore, those structures should be described with one term, either “edifice” or “building,” but not with both terms, because there was only one type of structure in the courtyard.
וְאָתִי נַמִּי שַׁפִּיר מַה שֶּׁאָמַר הַכָּתוּב (יחזקאל מב, יב) "פֶּתַח בְּרֹאשׁ דָּרֶךְ, דֶּרֶךְ בִּפְנֵי הַגְּדֶרֶת הֲגִינָה". שֶׁפֵּרֵשׁ רַשִׁ"י שֶׁהָיָה לָהֶם פֶּתַח בְּרֹאשׁ דֶּרֶךְ שֶׁלִּפְנֵי הַדּוּכָן, שֶׁכֵּן בְּרֹאשָׁןהמדברי רבינו משמע שהדרך להיכנס מלשכות אלו לעזרה היה בראש לשכות אלו. דהיינו שהיה פתח מחומת הלשכות ובחומת החצר הפנימית, המוליך אל תוך שטח העזרה, מרחק ארבע אמות ומחצה למערב ממזרח העזרה. משם הדרך מובילה לעזרת כהנים, שתחילת גבולו הוא בדוכן שנקרא בכתוב “גדרת הגינה”. וכנראה פתחים אלו משמשים לכניסת ישראל לעזרה. בַּמָּקוֹם שֶׁמַּתְחִילִין בִּכְלוֹת הַתָּאִים, הֵם כְּנֶגֶד חֲלַל חָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית כְּמוֹ ד' אַמּוֹת וּמֶחֱצָה כְּמוֹ שֶׁיִּתְבָּאֵר בְּסִימָן ע"ד. וּכְשֶׁיֵּשׁ מִשָּׁם פֶּתַח מֵהֶם אֶל חֲלַל הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית הוּא בָּרֹאשׁ דֶּרֶךְ הַדּוּכָן. לְפִי שֶׁכָּל מַהֲלַךְ רַגְלֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁבְּהַתְחָלַת הֶחָצֵר הַפְּנִימִי הוּא דֶּרֶךְ אֶל הַדּוּכָן שֶׁאַחֲרָיו, וּמַהֲלָכָן הוּא בְּי"ז אַמָּה עַד הַדּוּכָן כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי סִימָן כ"ו. וְנִמְצָא שֶׁהַפֶּתַח שֶׁבְּד' אַמּוֹת וּמֶחֱצָה הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת מֵהֶן, הוּא בְּרֹאשׁ הַדֶּרֶךְ שֶׁאֶל הַדּוּכָן.
The above also enables one to understand the phrase,10Ibid. 42:12. “There was an entrance at the beginning of the pathway, the pathway before the platform of the musicians.” Rashi interprets this phrase as meaning that these chambers had an entrance at the beginning of the pathway before the Duchan, the musicians’ platform. The place where the chambers begin is at the place where the cells end. This place is parallel to a point 4½ cubits from the beginning of the Inner Courtyard, as will be explained in sec. 74. The entrance leading from the chamber to the Inner Courtyard opens up at, “the pathway before the platform of the musicians,” i.e., the Duchan. The entire area through which the Israelites were allowed to enter leads to the Duchan, which is positioned beyond this area. As explained in sec. 26, there were 17 cubits from the entrance to the Inner Courtyard until the Duchan. Thus, the entrance that was within the first 4½ cubits was, “at the beginning of the pathway” leading to the Duchan.
אֲבָל מַה שֶּׁפֵּרֵשׁ רַשִׁ"י (יחזקאל מב, יב) "וּכְפִתְחֵי הַלְּשָׁכוֹת אֲשֶׁר דֶּרֶךְ הַדָּרוֹם" הָיוּ פִּתְחֵי לִשְׁכוֹת הַקָּדִים, שֶׁאַף בַּדָּרוֹם הָיוּ לְשָׁכוֹת וְכוּ'.
Nevertheless, there is a difficulty regarding Rashi’s interpretation of the phrase: “Resembling the entrances to the chambers to the south” – [These] were the entrances to the chambers on the east. For in the south[west] as well, there were chambers… near the side-chambers, as explained above.
קַשְׁיָא לְפֵרוּשׁוֹ זֶה, לָמָּה תְּלָאָן הַכָּתוּב [לְ]פִּתְחֵי לְשָׁכוֹת אֵלּוּ בְּפִתְחֵי לִשְׁכוֹת הַדָּרוֹם. וְהִנֵּה אוֹתָן הַלְּשָׁכוֹת סְתוּמִין בַּכָּתוּב בִּלְתִּי מְפֹרָשִׁין בְּהֶדְיָא, כְּמוֹ אוֹתָן שֶׁבַּצָּפוֹן, כְּמוֹ שֶׁהֻצְרַכְנוּ לְהוֹכִיחַ בְּסוֹף סִימָן ע"א שֶׁיֵּשׁ לְשָׁכוֹת אֶל הַדָּרוֹם. וְעוֹד שֶׁאַף אֵלּוּ הַתַּחְתּוֹנִים דִּבְהוּ מִשְׁתָּעִי קְרָא, מַיְרִי נַמִּי בַּצְּפוֹנִית כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב (יחזקאל מב, ט) "וּמִתַּחַת לְשָׁכוֹת הָאֵלֶּה", וּלְפָנָיו לֹא נִזְכְּרוּ וְלֹא נִרְמְזוּ הַדְּרוֹמִית עַד אַחַר כָּךְ, שֶׁאָמַר (יחזקאל מב, יג) "לִשְׁכוֹת הַצָּפוֹן לִשְׁכוֹת הַדָּרוֹם". וְעוֹד שֶׁהַדֶּרֶךְ חֲמִשִּׁים חָצֵר שֶׁלִּפְנֵיהֶם תְּלָאוֹ הַכָּתוּב בְּלִשְכוֹת צְפוֹנִיּוֹת שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב (יחזקאל מב, יא) "וְדֶרֶךְ לִפְנֵיהֶם כְּמַרְאֵה הַלְּשָׁכוֹת אֲשֶׁר דֶּרֶךְ הַצָּפוֹן". וְלָמָּה לֹא יַעֲשֶׂה כֵּן בְּפִתְחֵיהֶן, לִתְלוֹתָן בַּצְּפוֹנִית גַּם כֵּן.
Why did Scripture describe the entrance to these chambers by comparing them to the chambers on south[west], which, unlike those in the north[west], were not discussed previously in the narrative? Indeed, in sec. 71, it was necessary to bring proofs that there were such chambers in the south[west].11See pp. 235-236. Moreover, even when describing these lower chambers, the narrative refers to the northern chambers, stating,12Yechezkel 42:9. “Lower [on the mountain] than these chambers.” The southern chambers were not mentioned or even alluded to until this verse. Only in the following verse13Ibid. 42:13. does the narrative mention these chambers, speaking of “the northern chambers and the southern chambers.” Moreover, the fact that there is a courtyard 50 cubits long in front of this chamber is derived from the fact that there was such a space in the north, as the verse states,14Ibid. 42:11. “There was a passageway before them whose appearance was resembled that of the chambers on the north.” Why, then, weren’t the entrances also associated with those of the northern chambers?
לָכֵן נִרְאֶה כְּפֵרוּשׁ הַמְּתַרְגֵּם שֶׁתִּרְגֵּם (יחזקאל מב, יב) וּכְתַרְעֵי לִשְׁכָּתָא דִּפְתִיחַ לְאֹרַח דָּרוֹמָא. רָצָה בָּזֶה שֶׁמַּה שֶּׁאָמַר הַכָּתוּב אֲשֶׁר דֶּרֶךְ הַדָּרוֹם אֵינוֹ מוּסָב עַל תֵּבַת הַלְּשָׁכוֹת, אֶלָּא עַל תֵּבַת וּכְפִתְחֵי. לוֹמַר שֶׁכְּפִתְחֵי הַלְּשָׁכוֹת הַפְּתוּחִים לַדָּרוֹם, וּלְעוֹלָם בַּלְּשָׁכוֹת הַצְּפוֹנִיּוֹת מַיְרִי, וְלָהֶם פְּתָחִים אֶל אֲוִיר הָעֶשְׂרִים שֶׁבֵּינֵיהֶם לְבֵין הַתָּאִים כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי בְּסִימָן ע"א, וְהוּא דָּרוֹם שֶׁלָּהֶן. וְאָמַר שֶׁאַף אֵלּוּ הֵן פְּתוּחִים לְאוֹתוֹ הָרוּחַ, וְשָׁם יֵשׁ לָהֶן "פֶּתַח בְּרֹאשׁ דָרֶךְ וְגוֹ'". וּלְפִיכָךְ לָא סַגִּי לֵיהּ בְּמַה שֶּׁאָמַר קֹדֶם זֶה הַכָּתוּב וּכְפִתְחֵיהֶן, לְפִי שֶׁבָּא עַכְשָׁיו לְבָאֵר פֶּתַח יְתֵירָה שֶׁהָיָה לָהֶם "בְּרֹאשׁ דָּרֶךְ".
Therefore, it appears that the verse should be understood according to Targum Yonason’s interpretation:15Ibid, 42:12. “Resembling the gates of the chambers that opened to the pathway on the south.” The words “on the south” do not refer to the chambers but to the entrances. The intent is that the chamber’s entrances open to the south. Therefore, the chamber to which reference is being made is the northern chamber. It has entrances leading to the Twenty Cubit Space between it and the cells which are to its south, as explained in sec. 71. Similarly, the verse is teaching that the lower chambers also opened to the south. In that direction, they had “an entrance at the beginning of the pathway,” leading to the Inner Courtyard. Therefore, the previous mention of the entrances in the narrative is not sufficient, for the phrase in this verse is teaching that the chamber had an additional entrance at the beginning of the pathway. Thus, the verse is teaching that just as the upper northern chambers had an entrance to the south leading to the Twenty Cubit Space, as we explained, so too, the lower chambers had an entrance to the south. In addition, the lower chambers had another entrance “at the beginning of the pathway.”
וּמַתְחִיל וְאוֹמֵר, וּכְפִתְחֵי הַלְּשָׁכוֹת הַפְּתוּחִין דֶּרֶךְ הַדָּרוֹם שֶׁהוּא אֶל הָאֲוִיר הָעֶשְׂרִים, כִּדְפֵרַשְׁתִּי, כְּמוֹ כֵן אֵלּוּ פְּתוּחִים לְשָׁם, וְעוֹד פֶּתַח לָהֶם בְּרֹאשׁ דָּרֶךְ. אוֹ שֶׁפֶּתַח זוֹ בִּלְבַד לָהֶם, בִּמְקוֹם פִּתְחֵי הַלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה אֶל הַדָּרוֹם. אֲבָל יוֹתֵר נִרְאֶה לְפָרֵשׁ וְעוֹדושמילת בראש דרך, הוא ענין חדש דהיינו, שיש עוד פתח שם. פֶּתַח, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיוּ פְּתוּחִים גַּם כֵּן אֶל הֶחָצֵר הַחִיצוֹנָה בַּדְּרוֹמִי שֶׁלָּהֶן.
The narrative begins by stating “Resembling the gates of the chambers that opened to the pathway on the south.” These chambers also have an opening to that direction. Moreover, they have another entrance “at the beginning of the pathway.” Alternatively, perhaps this is the only entrance these chambers had. Since this entrance also opened to the south, it could be the entrance referred to by the verse’s first clause. It is, however, more likely that there were two entrances, both opening to the south - one leading to the Inner Courtyard and one leading to the Outer Courtyard.
וְיֵשׁ לְיַשֵּׁב דִּבְרֵי רַשִׁ"י ז"ל שֶׁלְּפִי שֶׁבָּא לְפָרֵשׁ פֶּתַח שֶׁבַּדָּרוֹם שֶׁלָּהֶן, וְלַדָּרוֹם שֶׁלָּהֶן אֵין כָּאן אֲוִיר עֶשְׂרִים כְּמוֹ לְאוֹתָן שֶׁלְּמַעְלָה כִּי אִם חָצֵר מְרֻוָּח. לְפִיכָךְ תְּלָאוֹ בַּלְּשָׁכוֹת שֶׁבַּדָּרוֹם, שֶׁהֵם פְּתוּחִין בַּדָּרוֹם שֶׁלָּהֶן גַּם כֵּן אֶל הֶחָצֵר מְרֻוָּח, שֶׁאֲוִיר הָעֶשְׂרִים בִּצְפוֹנָם הוּאזלהשלמת הענין יש להעתיק דברי רבינו בצורת הבית המחודש (מב, יב) וז”ל: וכפתחי הלשכות אשר דרך הדרום, היו פתחי לשכות הקדים. שאף בדרום היו לשכות כו’. ויש לתמוה, למה תלאן הכתוב באותן לשכות אשר עדיין לא הועלו על הכתוב, והוי כדתלי תניא בדלא תניא. ועוד, שלכל שאר עניניהם תלאן בלשכות הצפוניות, וכפי הנכון. לכן נראה כפירוש תרגום יונתן שתרגם ובתרעי לשכתא דפתיח באורח דרומא. שירצה לומר, שמה שאמר הכתוב, אשר דרך הדרום, אינו מוסב על תיבת הלשכות אלא על תיבת וכפתחי, לומר שבפתחי הלשכות הפתוחות לדרום. ולעולם בלשכות הצפוניות קא מיירי וכאמר, שכמו שלאותן היו להם פתחים אל אויר העשרים שביניהם לבין התאים, והוא דרום שלהן, כמו כן אף אלו הן פתוחין לאותו הרוח, ושם יש להן פתח בראש דרך, וכמו שיתבאר. ולפיכך לא סגי ליה במה שאמר קודם זה (יא) וכפתחיהן וגו’, שהם אמנם הפתחים שכלפי צפון לצד החצר החיצונה, ועכשיו בא לומר שהיה להם פתח יתירה פתוח לראש דרך שיתבאר בסמוך, וכה אמר שבפתחי הלשכות העליונות פתוחות לדרום, היינו לאויר העשרים, כן אלו פתוחים לדרום, ואמנם לראש דרך שיתבאר בסמוך. או יש לפרש, שהיו פתוחים ג”כ כלפי דרום, ולתוך החצר, כפתחי אותן לשכות. וכאמור. ומה שאמר פתח בראש דרך, ירצה שעוד להם פתח בראש דרך שיתבאר בסמוך. ועכשיו פתוחים לדרום לתוך החצר, מול הפתחים שלתוך החצר לצפון כמו העליונות, אלא שלאלו היה עוד פתח בראש דרך, כדי ליכנס מהם לתוך חצר הפנימי גם כן. וקצת יש ליישב פירוש רש”י, דלכך תלאן בלשכות הדרום, לפי שבפתח לשכות הדרום לצד דרום היו אל החצר, לא אויר העשרים. לפי שאל אויר העשרים הוא להם לצפון, וכן גם אלו הפתחים שלאלו הלשכות היו לצד דרום של אויר החצר, לכן תלאן בשל דרום. ומ”מ מה שפרשתי לפי תרגום יונתן, נראה יותר. עכ”ל.. וּמִכָּל מָקוֹם דִּבְרֵי תַּרְגּוּם יוֹנָתָן נִרְאִין יוֹתֵר.
It is possible to explain Rashi’s reasoning as follows: The entrance of the upper northern chamber to the south opened to the Twenty Cubit Space. Since the opening of the lower northern chamber16This explanation follows the conception that there were two openings to the lower chamber. led to a far more spacious area, it is not comparable to the upper northern chamber. Therefore, Rashi compared it to the southern chambers, for their opening on the south also led to a more spacious area – in contrast to their opening to the north which led to the Twenty Cubit Space. Nevertheless, the interpretation of Targum Yonason seems more accurate.