The Tosefta on the Women’s Balcony
At first, when [people] would observe the rejoicing of the water-drawing ceremony, the men would see it from inside and the women from outside. When the court saw that they were coming to [behave with] frivolity, they made three balconies in the courtyard corresponding to three different directions, and the women would sit there and observe the joy of the water-drawing ceremony, and they would not intermingle [with the men].
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
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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 also the parallel text in the Mishnah.
Related Guide
The Jerusalem Temple
Ancient descriptions of the Temple and its material culture indicate that the Jerusalem Temple was the central site of Jewish sacrificial worship.
You may also like
The Mishnah on the Women’s Balcony
m. Sukkah 5:2
Rabbinic Descriptions of the Second Temple Structure
m. Middot 1–5 (selections)
The Letter of Aristeas’ Description of the Temple
Letter of Aristeas 83–91, 96–104
An official from Hellenistic Egypt describes the Jerusalem Temple.
Construction and Renovation of the Temple
The Jewish War 5.184–237 (selections)
An eyewitness describes the construction and layout of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
The Temple Courts
Against Apion 2.103–107
A priest's describes who was and was not permitted to enter the Temple court.