Middos 2:2-3

Middos 2:2

Everyone who entered the Temple mount came from the right and went around, departing on the left. The exception was one to whom something had happened, who entered and went around to the left. People would ask why he was going to the left. If he responded because he’s in mourning, they would reply, “May the One Who dwells in this House console you.” If he responded that he had been excommunicated, they would reply, “May the One Who dwells in this House inspire them to draw you close again”; this is the opinion of Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Yosi said to Rabbi Meir that his words make it sound as if the others sinned against the one who was banned. Rather, they would reply, “May the One Who dwells in this House inspire you to accept the words of your colleagues so that they will draw you close again.”

Middos 2:3

Within the Temple mount enclosure there was a lattice fence (the soreg), which was ten handbreadths high (about 30”). There were 13 breaches in the fence that were originally made by the invading Greek kings. These were eventually repaired and they instituted that 13 prostrations be made opposite them. Inside the soreg was the cheil (the area surrounding the courtyard), which was ten cubits wide (around 15’). There were 12 steps there, each half a cubit tall and half a cubit deep (about 9”). All the steps in the Temple were half a cubit tall and half a cubit deep except for those of the ulam (the entrance hall). All the doors and gates in the Temple were 20 cubits tall and 10 cubits wide except for those of the ulam. All the doorways in the Temple had doors in them except for those of the ulam. All the gates in the Temple had lintels (the horizontal bar across the top) except the Tadi Gate, which had two stones leaning against one another (forming a triangle). All the Temple gates were upgraded to golden gates except the Nikanor gates because a miracle was performed with them; some say because these copper gates gleamed.