Keilim 1:8-9

Keilim 1:8

Inside the walls of Jerusalem is holier than other walled cities because sacrifices of lesser sanctity and second tithe may only be eaten there. The Temple mount is holier still because a zav, a zavah, a niddah* and a woman who has given birth may not enter there. The cheil (the area around the Temple courtyard) is holier still because non-Jews and those to whom corpse impurity has been conveyed may not enter there. The women’s court is even holier because one who has immersed and is awaiting nightfall (a t’vul yom) may not enter there, though he need not bring a sin offering if he does so. The Israelite court is holier still because one who still has to bring his purification offerings may not enter there and, if he does so, he must bring a sin offering. The court of the kohanim is even holier because Israelites may only enter there on an as-needed basis, i.e., to lay hands on their offerings, to slaughter or to wave certain offerings.

Keilim 1:9

Between the entrance (the ulam) and the altar is holier because kohanim who have blemishes or who need a haircut may not enter there. The Sanctuary (the Heichal) is holier still because no one may enter there without first washing his hands and feet. The Holy of Holies is even holier because only the Kohein Gadol may enter there, as required by the Temple service on Yom Kippur. Rabbi Yosi said that the area between the ulam and the altar is the same as the Heichal in five ways: those with a blemish or who need a haircut may not enter there, nor may those who have drunk wine or those with unwashed hands or feet, plus people must withdraw from the area between the ulam and the altar while the incense is being burned.

* Zav – a man who has experienced a particular genital discharge; zavah – a woman who has experienced a particular genital discharge; niddah – a menstruant woman.