- Why did the author of Kings associate the exodus from Egypt with the building of the Temple?
- To what Hebrew month does the “month of Ziv” (I Kings 6:1) refer? What does “ziv” mean?
- Interestingly, all the measurements of the Temple were double those of the Tabernacle which Moses had built in the desert, except for the height which was three times that of the Tabernacle. This building was clearly not intended to be portable in any way.
- The windows of the Temple were not designed to maximize sunlight coming into the Temple. Why was this design intentionally pursued? What message did it seek to communicate about the building’s purpose?
- Try to locate a Rabbinic understanding as to how the stones of the Temple were hewn without metal tools. (See Sotah 48b.)
- In I Kings 6:12 God declares to Solomon that if he keeps God’s ordinances and commandments “then will I establish My word with you.” What does this mean? What is God offering Solomon?
- For the Mishnah’s rendering of what the Temple once looked like see Tractate Middot.
- To what Hebrew month does the word “Bul” correspond?
