|« Prev||Chapter XLV. Tenth Class, The Temple, its
Vessels…||Next »| THE precepts of the tenth class are those
enumerated in the laws on the Temple (Hilkot bet ha-behirah),
the laws on the vessels of the temple and on the ministers in
the temple [Hilkot kele ha-mikdash veha-‘obedim bo]. The use of
these precepts we have stated in general terms. It is known that
idolaters selected the highest possible places on high mountains
where to build their temples and to place their images.
Therefore Abraham, our father, chose Mount Moriah, being the
highest mount in that country, and proclaimed there the Unity of
God. He selected the west of the mount as the place toward which
he turned during his prayers, because [he thought that] the most
holy place was in the West; this is the meaning of the saying of
our Sages, “The Shekinah” (the Glory of God) is in the West” (B.
T. Baba B 25a); and it is distinctly stated in the Talmud Yoma
that our father Abraham chose the west side, the place where the
Most Holy was built. I be