The Dukhan is the platform of the Leviim, set at the boundary between the Ezrat Israel and the Ezrat Kohanim, according to R. Eliezer ben Yaakov (Middot 2:6) on the one-ama step that separates the two courts, with three half-ama steps. The Leviim stand on it to sing, with their instruments. Never fewer than twelve are counted, and any number may be added beyond that. The Levite children, according to R. Eliezer ben Yaakov (Arakhin 2:6), stand below, their heads between the legs of the Leviim.
Dimensions
- three ½-ama steps
- set on the one-ama step that separates the Ezrat Israel and the Ezrat Kohanim
- never fewer than twelve Leviim standing
- at least nine kinorot, two to six nevalim, a single tziltzal
Sources
Project decisionAdopted: the view of R. Eliezer ben Yaakov (Middot 2:6) — a one-ama step separates the Ezrat Israel from the Ezrat Kohanim, and the Dukhan stands on it. According to the first view in the mishna, the two courts are separated only by a row of projections (rashei pispasin).