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The Tabernacle Courtyard (Hatzer Hamishkan) was the area surrounding the Tabernacle sanctuary and outwardly demarcated by curtains. The sacrificial altar, which stood outside of the sanctuary, was also in the courtyard.
Notable Sources
All Sources
A
The Blueprint of Holiness
TANAKH
The dimensions and materials of the Tabernacle Courtyard reflect the precision and sanctity of the Israelites' worship space. The book of Exodus provides a meticulous description of the Tabernacle plans, including the measurements of the courtyard.
Symbolic Correspondences of the Tabernacle
MUSAR
The different components of the Tabernacle have been associated with parts of the natural world and of the human body. In his 17th-century work, Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz explores the deeper meanings behind the sacrificial rituals and the layout of the Tabernacle.
The Altar's Height
TALMUD
Despite the detailed plans of the Tabernacle given in the Torah, many questions remain. The sages of the Talmud debate the relative heights of the altar and the fence around the courtyard, drawing on midrashic analysis of verses and practical considerations.
Courtyard and Sanctuary
COMMENTARY
The different portions of the Tabernacle represented different levels of holiness. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible provides insights on how the relationship between the courtyard and the sanctuary manifested in the process of their dedication.
The Gershonites' Role in the Tabernacle
COMMENTARY
Different families of Levites and Kohanim had different roles in the moving of the Tabernacle. The Gershonites had the responsibility of handling textiles, skins, and ropes of the Tabernacle, as explained in Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s modern translation and commentary on the book of Numbers.
The Dimensions of the Tabernacle Courtyard
SECOND TEMPLE
Philo of Alexandria provides a detailed account of the Tabernacle Courtyard's dimensions and arrangement, offering a Hellenistic Jewish perspective. Philo's work, 'On the Life of Moses,' harmonizes Jewish theology with Greek philosophy.
The Veil of the Tabernacle
TARGUM
The detailed description of the Tabernacle courtyard's veil materials and dimensions offers a glimpse into the craftsmanship of ancient Jewish worship. The Targum Jonathan provides an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, adding context and explanations that reflect Jewish traditions and teachings.
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