ייִדישער מחשבֿה אויף יחזקאל 45:4

The remainder of the sanctified area was the strip in the northern part of the Great Terumah. This strip was 25,000 measuring rods long and 10,000 measuring rods wide,¹Yechezkel 45:1. and was sanctified as most holy, as we mentioned in the preface to this work. The Temple Mount was located in the center of this portion. The narrative goes on to state that the portion around the Temple Mount will be 12,250 measuring rods to the east, and that same measure to the west. The length of the Temple Mount will be 500 measuring rods. Thus, the entire area will be 25,000 measuring rods long. The area to the north will be 4,750 measuring rods wide, and there will be the same measure to the south. The Temple Mount complex will be 500 measuring rods wide, and will be located in the center of this area. Thus, the area will be 10,000 measuring rods wide. This is Rashi’s calculation.

The reason Rashi did not subtract these 50 cubits of open space is because they were measured in cubits as stated in the narrative and not with the measuring rod. Indeed, they do not add up to an even number of rods, their total being approximately 8 ½ measuring rods. Since they do not reach a sum of 10 measuring rods, the narrative did not desire to subtract less than ten rods from the reckoning. This understanding is reflected in the commentary of Radak⁴Radak to ibid. 45:4. who writes that the 50 cubits of empty space are included in the area that remains outside the Temple Mount, as we explained in the preface. The remaining area was given to the kohanim, the servants of the Sanctuary, who draw close to serve God, providing them with a place for homes.