Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:11c The Laws of God's Chosen House ! HOLDING PATTERN FOR FRIDAY NIGHT. MINDING TIME & SPACE In past Episodes, we discussed the pre-dawn Priestly Guard Duty Sweep around the Azara (Beit HaMikdash Courtyard) perimeter. Torch-led groups set off in opposite directions and completed the circle at the appointed meeting place. In this new Episode we conclude with the final Halacha that emphasizes the need to maintain the pattern of this concluding ritual on the night of Shabbat as well. Yet, it is here that the Sanctity of Time and Space are set on Collison Course! To Hold the Pattern of Daily Guard Duty, and nonetheless Guard the holiness of Shabbat we reach a compromise by pre-placing torches, instead of holding them. This however sets off a firestorm of contradictory jurisprudence. According the Rambam's own Mitzva Metrics this precautionary methodology seems superfluous! By further developing and applying the Rebbe's novel Temple Watch Thesis many more questions continue to be resolved and answered!

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:11c The Laws of God's Chosen House ! COMPLETING THE WATCH BY A GREETING AND PROMPT TO BAKE In the immediate past Episode, we learnt how the nocturnal Priestly Guard Duty to Mind the Mikdash was completed by a circular sweep around the Azara (Beit HaMikdash Courtyard) perimeter. The two torch-led groups that previously headed off in opposite directions meet-up at the Chavitan Baker's Chamber. And now, as the circle is being completed -- special greetings are extended to one another. As day is about to break, it's time to conclude and hand-off the baton of mindfulness by getting the day going. Learn how that happens when the proverbial Sanctuary Sentries take the initiative to actively prompt the Chavitan Bakers. Why meet there, and what does the initiation of the daily schedule of services have to do with the Priestly Palace Guards? In this new Episode we'll further develop the Rebbe's Temple Watch Thesis that continues to clarify and answer so many questions!

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:11b The Laws of God's Chosen House ! FLAMING TORCH-LEAD SEARCH BY E/W DIRECTIONAL DIVISION After the delineating the respective Guard Duties of the Cohanim and Levites, we focused on the climatic walking of the dawn that ended the nightly Mikdash minding. What began with a gentle knock on the door swiftly evolves into an official perimeter sweep in the form of a flaming, ceremonial Torch-led Search. To proceed there's a required Directional Division, as one group heads East and other goes West. Walking near the walls a complete Courtyard Circuit must be achieved. As they made their separate ways around the Azara (Beit HaMikdash Courtyard), a thorough check of provisional Temple artifacts went down. The circle would only be closed when both fired-up groups arrived at Chavitan Baker's Chamber!

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:11a The Laws of God's Chosen House ! KNOCK FIRST, THEN OPEN. GET THE KEYS, YET USE THE WICKET In previous Episodes we learnt about Cohanim and Levites positioned each night to mind the Beit HaMikdash, as well as the official oversight and the methods employed to enforce compliance of this sacred Guard Duty. In this new Episode, we focus on the next order of business, walking the dawn to end the night and kickstart a new day. Now, a new Sheriff arrives on site and begins the process by knocking on the door first thereby activating the waiting Cohanim. The retrieval of the Keys and the informal opening of a door is next. Keys in Hand, this Mikdash Manager who oversees the division of daily priestly responsibilities will muster the young Cohanim to launch official walkaround as they enter the Mikdash Courtyard proper via a mere wicket door, rather than the regular Grand Gateway.

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:10b The Laws of God's Chosen House ' ! SCORCHED BY A TORCH, CRIES SOUND-OFF IN THE HOLY CITY In our previous Episode we learnt about a Powerful Officer who oversaw the 24 watches of Cohanim and Levites who were supposed to be minding the Har HaBayit perimeter, and Beit HaMikdash proper. Making torch-lit rounds he would review the sentries all night-long. And he would enforce full compliance. Anyone caught sleeping on the job would receive immediate corporal punishment. In the new Episode we learn more about radical methods of enforcement. In addition to striking the sentry with his staff, he was even allowed to light his clothes on fire! Were Cohanim included, or did this only apply to the Levites, were such extreme measure ever actually employed, and finally, how could that even be legal? Our illuminating analysis will shed much light on this hot button, burning issue!!

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:10a The Laws of God's Chosen House : GUARD - RISE & GREET THE SHINE OR BE GUILTY OF SILENCE! Over the past dozen Episodes, we have learnt much about the Honour Guard Duties carried out by both the Cohanim and Levite Clans. In total, 24 specialized groups of mostly adult (along with a notable contingent of minors) took up their positions, minding their appointed posts each night. They were strategically stationed around the Temple Mount circumference, as well as the outer scrimmage of the massive multi-tiered Beit HaMikdash Campus. After reviewing the three locations that housed the Cohanim, and then went on to delineate the 21 Levite placements at Gateways, Corners and Chambers. In the new Episode we are introduced to the 'Guardian Angel' Overseer who was appointed over all the watches. Making continuous torch-lit rounds, his mandate was to ensure and even enforce compliance. Each sentry was expected to rise and greet the Temple Campus CEO. Failure to verbally respond would be tantamount to a silent admission of guilt. This Honour Guard Overseer was granted overarching powers of enforcement, including the administration of corporal punishment!

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:9 The Laws of God's Chosen House OFFICES OF OFFERING & CURTAINS In the previous Episode we learnt more about guard duties of the Levite Clan at the only some of the gates of entranceways to the Mikdash Courtyard. We tallied locations and thus far reached Chai! In this new Episode we will continue with the Levites on Guard Duty in the final three, yet somewhat unusual locations. From the Office of Offering that was housed in a Chamber within a Chamber to the enigmatic Control Centre of the Curtains it seems that something different is actively at play here... a fascinating new theory will be suggested. As we conclude with the final Levite posting behind the Holy of Holies, e.g., the "House of The Covering" -- the surprising euphemism for the highest of degree of sanctity begs for clarification. As a glimmer emerges from medieval commentary in respect to the Shechina, where the smallest of openings is viewed as an active gateway. We'll contemplate biblical verses about sacred conventions of our connectivity with the Creator. The full illuminated development of which can easily lend stunning credibility to the veracity of the aforementioned novelty.

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:8b The Laws of God's Chosen House FIVE OF SEVEN GATES | THE LEVITE COHEN CHAI DIVIDE In the previous Episode we learnt about the outer scrimmage duties and responsibilities of the Levite Clans: Guarding at Gates, and Minding Corners too. Some were posted on the inside, while others were pointedly kept out --- due to technical reasons and considerations. In this Episode we will continue with the Levites on Guard Duty, but this time our focus is exclusively on the gateways to an inner scrimmage of sanctity. We'll discover that, strangely enough, not all gates fall within the Levite mandate, as their purview includes only five of the seven formal entranceways to the Mikdash Courtyard itself. The Levites are on duty where they must be because there are some places that Cohanim get to go to instead. Finally, Rambam feels it's important to add up the numbers and state the tally. Incredibly we end up adding up to Chai!

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:8a The Laws of God's Chosen House GATE KEEPERS COVER CORNERS | INSIDE AND OUT TO SIT In previous Episodes we learnt about the Cohanim Honour Guard and how Hashem's Holy Home isn't hospitable to Ritual Impurity and a solution that was carved in stone! Having concluded the Cohen Guard Duty details, in this new Episode we move onto the responsibilities shouldered by the Levite Clans. We'll learn about their duty as Gate Keepers, as well as being sure to Cover Corners. Interestingly some of these postings were on the inside of things, while others were most strikingly kept outside. Fascinatingly, that was due to a technical seating prohibition and the length of their assignments. Finally, we will shift out focus to positioning, as the precision of the Rambam's words along with an anonymous medieval commentary lead us to a proper understanding.

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:6 The Laws of God's Chosen House In previous Episode we learnt about the Elder Cohanim, and the semi-sacred "Chamber of the Hearth" where they'd spend the night prior to their Beit HaMikdash Day of Duty. This was also the location for the Adult Cohanim Honour Guard, which included taking responsibility for the Keys to Hashem's Holy Home! In this new Episode we'll learn all about their Sleeping Arrangements answering a slew of curious questions: Can sleeping Cohanim be considered an Honour Guard? Did they have special Priestly Pajamas, did they bring their own? Were there beds or cots to sleeping on, or did they make do on the ground? Finally, was there a unique issue of Temple Bedding and Pillows, Sleeping Bags and was it befitting of the Mikdash-grade Dignity, as they say in "Royal Fashion?"

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:5b The Laws of God's Chosen House In past Episode we learned about the role played by the Junior Cohanim in the Beit HaMikdash Honour Guard. This included the details of the Upper-Level Chambers in which they were stationed when they took up their positions. In the current Episode we'll focus on the Elder Cohanim, and the semi-sacred "Chamber of the Hearth" area in which they fulfilled their version of this sacred watch. We will also learn about the responsibility vested in the hands of these elder Cohanim to ensure that the Adults Maintain Control by Keeping the Keys in Possession!

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:5a The Laws of God's Chosen House In previous Episodes we've already clarified the Beit HaMikdash Honour Guard that applies in mutually exclusive fashion to both Cohanim and Levi'im. In this episode we'll learn focus on the role played by the youngest Cohanim in the Chambers of Smoke and Spark; where the "Kid Kohanim" were stationed when they took up their version of this sacred watch. The names and meanings of these upper level chambers will be explored and we'll also highlight the different opinions of how old is old enough to carry out of this unusual Temple obligation.

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:4 The Laws of God's Chosen House In previous Episodes we've established that preforming the Beit HaMikdash Honour Guard fulfills a Positive Mitzvah of the Torah. And failure to implement this scared duty constitutes a violation of a separate Negative Mitzvah. We've also learnt that this Mitzvah mandate applies specifically to the Levite Tribe, which is comprised of both Cohanim and Levi'im. In this episode we'll learn about how that Take Up Positions, as we explore the nature of the two-tiered division of this Tribal Temple Responsibility. We'll highlight the Rambam's view about the unique responsibility on each of these special clans to carry out of their Temple Honour Guard in different locations, rather than serving as an adjunct to one another. We will further explore the number of places required, how many people it took to fill them. Finally, we address an obvious question: if this all about mindfulness and preservation of dignity, why are so many locations and guards are required?!

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:3 The Laws of God's Chosen House We've already established that the Beit HaMikdash Watch is biblically ordained, which means that "Standing on Guard for Thee" is a Positive Mitzvah of the Torah applying to the pedigree of Cohanim and Levi'im. In this episode we'll learn that Stopping the Watch comprises a Moving Violation too! That means failure to preform the sacred Sanctuary Guard Duty not merely Sin of Omission; nullifying a Positive Mitzvah but is also a violation of a Negative Mitzvah. In the Rambam's view, the Torah places so much value on the Temple Honour Guard that is adjures us with both Positive and Negative Commands to ensure it gets done!

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:2b The Laws of God's Chosen House We get into the technicalities of the Tribal Formations of the Beit HaMikdash Guard Brigade. As we've already learnt this Mitzvah was specifically given to a particular pedigree of the Jewish People. The very same Cohanic clan and Levite families already tasked with serving in Hashem's holy home, on behalf of the nation. In this episode we will delve into details to learn the Who’s Who of the Temple Watchman as elucidated by our Sages, and codified by Maimonides: You'll discover the division of duties exclusively apportioned amongst the Cohanim and Levi'im - in their unique roles in minding this magnificent Mikdash Mitzvah. By tracing the Mitzvah mandate from its original Scriptural Sources to the Statements of our Sages through to the Rulings of the Rambam as clarified by the commentaries -- a full snapshot of this sacred duty emerges.

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:2a The Laws of God's Chosen House We continue to focus on the Guard Duty we are commanded about in the Torah regarding the Beit HaMikdash. As clarified, the ideal of this Mitzvah is to cultivate an aura of respectful dignity and rarefied atmosphere around Hashem's holy home . In this episode we will further explore the meaning and jurisprudence of this Sacred Duty in the illuminated view of Maimonides. To achieve this, we'll analyze and emphasize the rhyme and reason for the Dusk to Dawn nature of our Nocturnal Mandate. Learning of the division of responsibility - amongst Cohanim and Levi'im - is another matter of interest; providing additional insight into this unique Mikdash Mitzvah. The variety of related sources and presented all serve to better frame and augment the rulings of the Rambam regarding Respect for Hashem's Chosen Home!

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 8:1 The Laws of God's Chosen House In this Episode we open Chapter Eight of Hilchot Beit HaBechira. It begins with a focus on us creating an presidential aura and atmosphere of palace prominence in and around the Sanctuary and Temple Mount. This is the essence of a new Mikdash Mitzvah that we are now introduced to: The Divine Commandment to Guard Hashem's Holy Home; a sacred duty to ensure it's rarified dignity. Once opening the subject we'll delve into practical Halacha; the Torah Law and Order by which we govern ourselves today. Does there need to be a building for this Mitzvah mandate to apply?

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 7:23c The Laws of God's Chosen House In the previous Episode we learnt about certain restrictions on access being loosened to allow for the entry of professional craftspeople for constructive or reparative purposes. Although entering these sacred (otherwise restricted) areas for technical reasons is permitted, a sliding scale of limitations, even for these allowances still apply. Ideally the ritually pure "Priest Perfect" professional should be engaged, if that option is unavailable a Cohen with deformities would be our next choice. If there are no priestly professionals to be found, then, at the very least, we'd seek a for member of the Levite Tribe. If there are no professional craftspeople with Levite lineage, we are permitted to settle for a common Israelite. However, in every eventuality ritual purity remained a high priority! In this Episode we will focus making the tough choice between imperfect options. Which would be the preferable (albeit problematic) solution, the physically blemished or ritually impure Cohen? Here we'll delve into the Law and Order and of how we Define Deficiencies. Interestingly we cross into the theoretical jurisprudence that governs the ritual rules of public impurity suspensions and the way we view sacred consumptions. We end Chapter Seven of Hilchot Beit HaBechira with Boxed-in possibilities and final resort of employing a Grand Entrance!

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 7:23b The Laws of God's Chosen House After reaching the Tenth Stages of Holiness designed to enhance our reverence and awe for Hashem's "Chosen Home," we took it up into the next level. Then it became apparent that the highly restricted access to the space higher than the Holy of Holies wasn't indicative of a higher holiness after all! We now return to the lower level inside the Sanctuary proper, but this time it's for reparative purposes. Although this entry is purely technical, some restrictions still apply. We now focus on Qualifying Craftspeople; who best "Makes the Grade," is it going to be Priest Perfect, at least a Member of the Tribe, or will we have to settle for a Commoner? Regardless of the result, clearly, limitations loosened doesn't equal restrictions rescinded. After all, we are dealing with a space that's sacred in its own right!

Rambam - Hilchot Beit Habechirah 7:23a The Laws of God's Chosen House Having previously arrived at the penultimate of sacred space, the innermost Sanctum of the Jerusalem Temple – referred to as the Holy of Holies, there's only direction to move: Up! Having completed the detailed enumeration of the Ten Stages of Holiness designed to enhance our reverence and awe for Hashem's "Chosen Home," Maimonides now takes us up into the upper level. This begs an obvious question: once you've already reached the top, how can you go any higher?! As we delve into this Higher than Holiest space things will become clear. The limited access – for reparative purposes only – is limited for technical reasons. The severely restricted nature of the occasional inspection is, in fact, NOT positive proof of a higher level of Holiness. Rather being a sacred space in its own right, the story behind the Temple's Upper Storey's seeming sanctity is really about reverence due to association and proximity!