nd the pot of manna, and the pan of anointing oil, and Aaron's rod
with its almonds and flowers; and there Aaron entered four times on the
day of atonement. Outside the vail were placed the table and candlestick.
But the table was on the north, and opposite to it was the candlestick on
the south; as is said, "And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and
the candlestick over against the table."(617) And as they were placed in
the tent of the congregation, so were they placed in the everlasting
House.(618) Now the tent of the congregation was in length thirty cubits,
and in breadth ten cubits. But the everlasting House was in length sixty
cubits, and in breadth twenty cubits. This teaches that the tent of the
congregation was one-fourth part of the everlasting House. And as the vail
was woven, so was woven the ephod and the breastplate, only in these there
was an additional thread of gold; as is said, "And they did beat the gold
into thin plates and cut _it into_ wires."(619) As was the weaving of the
covering vail, so was the weaving of the covering for the entrance. But
the vail was cunning work, as is said, "Thou shalt make the vail of blue
and purple," etc.; "cunning work."(620) But the covering of the entrance
was needle-work, as is said, "And thou shalt make an hanging for the door
of the tent," etc., "of needle-work."(621) The words of R. Nehemiah. R.
Nehemiah usually said, "every place where it is said cunning work (there
were) two figures--in the needlework (there was) but one figure only." And
the branches of the candlestick were right opposite to the breadth of the
table. And the golden altar was placed in the middle of the house, and
divided the house, and its half inward was right opposite to the ark; as
is said, "And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the
testimony before the mercy-seat."(622) From the boards on the south to the
branches of the candlestick (there were) two cubits and a half. And from
the branches of the candlestick to the table (there were) five cubits. And
from the table to the boards on the north (were) two cubits and a half.
This teaches that the breadth of the Holy Place (was) ten cubits. From the
boards on the west to the vail (were) ten cubits. From the vail to the
table were five cubits. From the table to the golden altar (were) five
cubits. From the golden altar to the boards on the east (were) ten cubits.
This teaches that the length of the tabernacle was thir