3,858. The Temple Mount

Hilchos Beis HaBechirah 4:13

At the entrance to the loft were two cedar beams that one would climb to the roof. Small partitions in the loft separated the roof of the Holy from the roof of the Holy of Holies. There were windows in the loft leading to the Holy of Holies. Workmen would be lowered in boxes through these windows so that they could make repairs without gazing at the Holy of Holies. Once a year, between one Passover and the next, they whitewashed the Heichal.

Hilchos Beis HaBechirah 5:1

The Temple Mount – which was Mount Moriah – was 500 cubits by 500 cubits (approximately 750’ x 750’) and surrounded by a wall. Under the Temple there were arches built over arches as a safeguard againt the impurity of a body in a “tent.” (The ground under the Temple was hollowed out to avoid this impurity and the arches were for structural support.) The Temple Mount was entirely covered, with porticos inside of porticos.