Finally we arrive at the center of it all. It is the building towards which we face every day in our prayers. If we imagine ourselves passing through the Antechamber, through the double golden doors and into the huge, silent, gold-covered hall, how can we not suck in our breath from sheer awe?

Sixty feet ahead hangs the first of two plush curtains. The beautifully woven material measures nearly sixty feet wide by sixty high and along with its twin hanging just behind it. The curtains divide the ninety foot chamber into two. The section in which we now stand, the Hearth (or the Heichal or sometimes, Kodesh) takes up two thirds of that length. Beyond the curtain-wall lie the thirty feet of the Holy of Holies. see the map

There are three golden objects in the Heichal. In the center (twenty Amos from each of the east and west ends, and ten Amos from both the northern and southern walls) sits the Golden Altar (Mizbayach Hazahav). Not imposing by virtue of its size, the altar rises only two Amos from the ground and is only one and a half Amos long and wide. It was to this altar that the morning and afternoon Ketores (incense offerings) were brought and burnt daily.

To the right and further back (to the west) than the altar, is the Table (Shulchan). It isn't enormous either, but it is also crafted of the finest wood and completely covered with gold.

The table itself is only one and a half Amos high, two Amos long and one and a half Amos wide. From out of the top of the table come poles between which were two columns of golden trays. On each tray was a loaf of the Lechem Hapanim (Show Bread). Every Shabbos new loaves were baked and brought into the Heichal to replace the old ones. The week-old bread was eaten by Kohanim - and enjoyed as if it was fresh out of the oven.

To the left (the south) is the Golden Menorah. Each of the seven stems (not the eight of our Chanuka Menoras - which commemorate the eight day miracle) is topped with a cup. The finest olive oil was poured into the Menorah each night and is expected to keep its wick burning through 'till the morning.

This most holy room was the domain only of those kohanim who were involved with their appointed work. One couldn't just walk in when the mood came.

This room was just a path to the real heart of the Temple; to the chamber where Israel's greatest treasure lay; where the Divine Presence rested - the Kodesh Hakodashim ...the Holy of Holies.

Rabbi Boruch Clinton teaches at the Ottawa Torah Institute yeshiva high school and Machon Sarah high school for girls (both in Ottawa, Canada). You may reach him with comments and questions at bclinton@torah.org.

You can now read some of Rabbi Clinton's essays on Torah life at http://www.ncf.ca/~es625/essays

You can also buy his collection of essays on the Book of Shmuel (Samuel) in printed form at www.lulu.com/marbitzmedia

Copyright © 2000 by Rabbi Boruch Clinton and Project Genesis, Inc.