The Temple Courts

[The Temple] had four surrounding porticos, and every one of these maintained its own protection in accordance with the law. It used to be permitted for anyone to enter the outer court, even foreigners. Only women who were menstruating were prohibited from entering. All Judeans used to enter the second portico, along with their wives if they were clean of every impurity. Male Judeans who were clean and purified would enter the third court. Priests clothed in their priestly garments would enter the fourth, but only the high priests could enter the holy of holies, wrapped in their own appropriate vestments. Such precaution exists concerning every aspect of the cultic sphere that certain hours are designated when the priests may enter. It was required that they enter to perform the traditional sacrifices when the Temple was opened in the morning, and again at midday, until the time that it closed. Thereafter, it was not permitted to carry any vessel into the Temple. The only things placed inside it were the altar, the table, the incense altar, and the lampstand, all of which have also been recorded in the law. There was nothing more, neither the performance of any ineffable mystery nor the serving of any feast inside. These matters bear the testimony of all the people, as well as the demonstration of the ritual acts.