Kaisipang Hudyo sa Ezekiel 41:9: The Third Beit HaMikdash

True, in his description of the empty space (hamunach) near the chambers,⁵See secs. 64-69 below, where this open space is described. Rashi explains⁶Rashi, Yechez­kel 41:9. that the term “all around,” can be interpreted as “on either side,” as stated in sec. 64. Thus, with regard to these vestibules, one might infer that the prophet’s intent is to say “on either side of the gate.” That, interpretation, however, is not appropriate here. With regard to the open space, there is no alternative but to interpret the verse in this manner even though the interpretation is somewhat forced.⁷For the Hebrew term soviv implies a circle. With regard to these vestibules, by contrast, there is no need to accept such an interpretation and the term can be interpreted according to its simple meaning.

“The width of the wall of the side-chamber toward the outside was 5 cubits.”³Yechezkel 41:9. As mentioned in sec. 61, in the Second Beis HaMikdash, the western wall of the Holy of Holies was comprised of two parallel walls, with a hollow space between them. There was a cell inside the hollow space. Similarly, in the Second Beis HaMikdash this outer wall was constructed in a similar manner, with a cell inside its hollow space.⁴See Middos 4:7. However, we did not depict the Future Beis HaMikdash according to this interpretation, even according to Rambam’s explanation, because we wanted Rambam’s interpretation to agree with that of Targum Yonason, as will be explained in sec. 64.

True, the implication of the verse is that the wall of the winding stairwell will be only 5 cubits wide, as the mishnah states, for it is written:³⁶Yechez­kel 41:12. “The wall of the building was five cubits wide all around.” The implication is that the outer wall of the building, i.e. the wall of the winding stairwell, will be 5 cubits wide “all around,” i.e., on the north and the south. The rationale is that the wall of the winding stairwell is a continuation of the outer wall of the building on the western side, which was also 5 cubits wide, as it is written:³⁷Ibid.:9. “The width of the outer wall of the side-chamber was five cubits.” Nevertheless, the verse can be interpreted as referring to the portion above the foundation. The foundation, by contrast, was 6 cubits wide.