388. Night at the Museum: The obligation to guard the Temple

Kohanim and Leviim (priests and Levites) had to guard the Temple, walking the rounds every night. Three kohanim were stationed inside and 21 Leviim outside, for a total of 24. One person made the rounds with torches lighting his way; he was known as the Ish Har HaBayis (“Man of the Temple Mount”). If someone was asleep at his post, the Ish Har HaBayis would poke, prod and smack him with his staff. In an extreme circumstance, the Ish Har HaBayis could even set the sleeper’s cloak on fire. (No doubt he wouldn’t fall asleep on duty a second time!)

The reason for this mitzvah is not that God needs humans to protect His “house,” but rather as a form of respect. It would be disgraceful to the Temple for the kohanim to call it a day, lock up and go home. If we wouldn’t dream of leaving a diamond exchange or a museum without a human attendant (despite any high-tech gear that may be installed), it shouldn’t even occur to us to leave the Temple unattended.

As we’ve discussed in earlier mitzvos, the reason we afford so much honor to the Temple is so that people should approach it with awe and reverence. In this way, when people come to the Temple to bring their sacrifices, they will be imbued with the proper spirit, which will help bring them closer to God.

This mitzvah only applies to kohanim and Leviim in Temple times. It is discussed in the Talmud in tractate Tamid, starting on page 25b (which is actually the first page; it’s confusing). In the Mishnah, it is discussed in the first chapter of tractate Middos. This mitzvah is codified in the Mishneh Torah in the eighth chapter of Hilchos Beis HaBechira. It is #22 of the 248 positive mitzvos in the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos.