The Temple

The Temple and it's inner courts into which Jews alone could pass. All foreigners were forbidden to enter these precincts on pain of death. The court in the foregrounds is the court of prayer, also called the women's court as they could not pass beyond this point. The gate in the center leading into the innermost courts is the "Beautiful Gate," made of carved bronze and donated by a wealthy Jewish banker from Alexandria, Egypt. The steps leading up into the inner courts is where the Levite choir (men and boys) stood ranged along these 15 steps and conducted the worship with chants (called "plainchant" which developed into Gregorian and other style chants) and with musical instruments.