I Kings 2:45 Jewish Thought: The Third Beit HaMikdash

Rav Yitzchak Abarbanel writes:²²Rav Yitzchak Abarbanel, Yechezkel 40:5. The first outer courtyard: Our Sages said that during the Second Beis HaMikdash, this courtyard was called “The Women’s Courtyard,” and they built a balcony for it. I saw in Christian sources that this first courtyard was designated for non-Jews who come to pray in the House of God, as Shlomoh said in his prayer,²³I Melachim 8:41; this prayer was recited at the dedication of the Beis HaMikdash. “And also a foreigner who is not of Your people will come….” There are grounds for those concepts in our sources, because our prophets have foretold that in the Future, many people shall go up to the mountain of God, to the House of the God of Yaakov²⁴Cf. Yeshayahu 2:3; Michah 4:1. to receive His Torah. Therefore, it is appropriate that there be an outer place dedicated for them, one that is furthest removed from holiness. Perhaps, this courtyard will also have a balcony for women, as our Sages taught. The women will then observe from above and the non-Jews will be in the courtyard below.