יחזקאל, פרק מ״ב, פסוק ד׳

The layout of the Temple courtyards required careful architectural planning to ensure proper access between the various chamber complexes. Toward the east, at the front of the chambers, a designated walkway guided visitors through the area [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The buildings were designed to face one another, separated by a broad path ten cubits wide [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. This path served as a dividing line between the larger set of chambers and the smaller ones [מלבי״ם]. Following this route led inward, either arriving directly at the inner courtyard [ביאור שטיינזלץ] or reaching the inner chambers themselves [רד״ק, אברבנאל].

Access into this specific space was surprisingly tight, requiring passage through an opening only one cubit wide [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Commentators offer different perspectives on the nature of this narrow entrance. One approach suggests that the thick courtyard walls and surrounding buildings blocked standard access to the space between the chambers. To resolve this, a narrow gap was created at the edge of the wall, allowing a person to squeeze through and reach the wider ten-cubit path [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Another perspective views this not as a gap in an outer wall, but as a narrow internal door connecting the small chambers to the large ones, providing a direct route between the two complexes [מלבי״ם].

Despite the existence of this narrow connecting passage, it was not the primary way in and out of the complex. The main, official doors of the building faced north [רד״ק, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם], opening directly toward the floor of the outer courtyard [מצודת דוד].