The Women’s Balcony

The Herodian Temple complex was divided into several areas with ever-greater restrictions on access. The outermost area was open to both Jews and non-Jews. Beyond that was an enclosed area called the Women’s Court. This area was not restricted to women but rather demarcated the point beyond which women were forbidden to enter. Rabbinic sources state that because of improprieties resulting from the mingling of men and women during the festivities that accompanied the water libation ceremony, balconies were eventually built, where the women would sit and observe the celebration (see “The Water Libation Ceremony”).