the holy of holies, the most sacred site in judaism, is the inner sanctuary within the tabernacle and temple in jerusalem when solomon's temple and the second temple were standing. a brocade curtain (hebrew: "parochet"), made with cherubim motifs woven directly into the fabric from the loom, divided the holy of holies from the lesser holy place. the holy of holies was located in the westernmost end of the temple building, being a perfect cube: 20 cubits by 20 cubits by 20 cubits. the inside was in total darkness and contained the ark of the covenant, gilded inside and out, in which was placed the tablets of the covenant. according to both jewish and christian tradition, aaron's rod and a pot of manna were also in the ark. the ark was covered with a lid made of pure gold, known as the "mercy seat" () which was covered by the beaten gold cherubim wings, creating the space for the divine presence ().