Kaisipang Hudyo sa Exodo 27:18: The Third Beit HaMikdash

The verse’s statement that the length of the courtyard in front of the chambers measured 100 cubits, only refers to the portion of the courtyard that faced the chambers. The length of the courtyard itself extended far further eastward, continuing past the building of the Beis HaMikdash, the Courtyard of the Israelites, and even further. Similarly, the courtyard extended further to the west, as the Mishnah states in the last chapter of Tractate Middos,⁹Middos 5:1. See sec. 74 where Tosafos Yom Tov elaborates concerning this subject. “11 cubits behind the Holy of Holies.” Similarly, Rashi explains at the end of Parshas Terumah, that in the Sanctuary built by Moshe, 20 cubits of the area encompassed by the lace hangings were to the west, behind the Tent of the Sanctuary.¹⁰See Rashi, Shmos 27:18. It is befitting to leave this empty space, because it enabled the watchmen to walk around the Beis HaMikdash inside the courtyard. Indeed, Tractate Tamid relates¹¹See Tamid 1:3. that each morning the kohanim would walk around the courtyard and inspect the sacrificial vessels located there.