Tamid

In regard to the Chamber of Abtinas and the Chamber of the Spark, the question was asked in the Academy. Were they actually upper chambers1 or were they perhaps simply raised like upper chambers?2 — Come and hear; for we have learnt:3 In the north was the Chamber of the Spark, built like a veranda,4 and there was an upper chamber on top of it, and the priests kept watch above and the Levites below,5 and it had a doorway to the non-sacred part. Whence is this rule6 derived? — Because our Rabbis have taught: That they [the Levites] may be joined unto thee [Aaron] and minister unto thee.7 The text speaks of thy [Aaron's] service.8 You say, The text speaks of thy service. May it not perhaps be of their service?9 When it says, And they shall bejoined unto thee and keep the charge of the tent of meeting,10 this disposes of their service. What then do I make of That they may be joined unto thee and minister unto thee? The text must speak of thy service. How is this to be carried out? The priests watch above and the Levites below. THE FIRE CHAMBER WAS VAULTED AND IT WAS A LARGE ROOM. But was there only one watch kept in the Fire Chamber? This is opposed to [the following statement]: There were two gates in the Fire Chamber, one opening on to the Hel and one opening on to the Azarah. R. Judah said: In the doorway opening on to the Azarah there was a small wicket through which they used to go in to inspect the Azarah?11 Abaye said: Since the gates were close to one another,12 one watchman was sufficient, as he could glance from one to the other. [IT WAS] SURROUNDED WITH STONE PROJECTIONS. What were these projections? — They were the hewn slabs of the projections by which they used to climb up to the projections.13 But were there any hewn stones there, seeing that it is written, For the house when it was in building was built of stone made ready etc.?14 — Abaye replied: They were brought ready prepared. smaller stones and larger stones, as it says, Stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits.15 THE ELDERS OF THE BETH AB SLEPT THERE. Why so? Why could they not take in beds? — Abaye replied: It would not be respectful to take beds into the Temple. THE PRIESTLY NOVITIATES PUT EACH HIS PILLOW16 ON THE GROUND. Why are they first called ‘youths’ and then but The Chamber . . . were upper stories; v. Sh. Mek. on the Mishnah. above the ground, like upper chambers? gates, presumably there were two watchers! faced one another in opposite walls. Mishnah.