The Azara is the inner court, where the service is performed. It measures 187 amot east to west and 135 north to south. From east to west it is divided into the Ezrat Israel, the Ezrat Kohanim, the Mizbeach, the space between the altar and the Ulam, the Building, then the rear of the Kodesh HaKodashim. The floor is laid in rows of stone slabs; the Kohanim serve there barefoot.
Dimensions
- 187 amot (east-west) × 135 amot (north-south) ≈ 90 × 65 m
- east → west: Ezrat Israel 11, Ezrat Kohanim 11, Mizbeach 32, between altar and Ulam 22, Building 100, rear of Kodesh HaKodashim 11
- north → south: 8, Beit HaMitbachayim 12.5, marble tables 8, rings 24, rings → altar 8, Mizbeach 32, Kevesh 30, ramp → south wall 12.5
Sources
Project decisionAdopted: the Rambam's division (Beit HaBechirah 5:13–15). From north to south, Middot 5:2 leaves 25 amot without figures — between the ramp and the wall on one side, for the pillars on the other; the Rambam gives 12.5 to each. He also reorders the north side: Middot 5:2 counts rings → tables 4, tables → pillars 4, pillars → wall 8, the Rambam wall → Beit HaMitbachayim 8, Beit HaMitbachayim 12.5, tables 8.