Image Details

A bird’s-eye view of the Temple’s inner court—the Court of the Priests. Several ceremonies were performed daily in this holy area directly outside the Temple. The priests performed ritual ceremonies at the altar, center, where two fires burned regularly and a third acted as an auxiliary. A fourth fire, shown unlit on the model, was reserved for the Day of Atonement. Beside the model’s altar, figures of animals about to be slaughtered stand with their heads in rings. After slaughter, the animals were hung on iron hooks sunk into pillars, bottom center. The laver, or basin where the priests would wash, top center, stands beside the portico.