יחזקאל, פרק מ״ג, פסוק י״ז

The design of the future Temple's altar is detailed with precise measurements, merging architectural vision with the practical laws of the priestly service. Its construction involves square molds filled with wet stones, lime, and pitch, cast together into a single solid block [רד״ק, אברבנאל, מצודת דוד]. The primary approach among commentators, drawing from the Sages, is that the main structural reference in this vision is the altar itself and its roof—the area housing the fire, the corner horns, and the walkway for the priests [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Other scholars suggest this specific area might simply be a step or protrusion within the overall structure, though its exact scale remains a matter of discussion [רד״ק, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ].

The measurements provided for the altar—fourteen by fourteen cubits—do not represent its total size. Instead, they are calculated from the exact center point outward in all four directions, resulting in a massive total roof area of twenty-eight by twenty-eight cubits [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. Surrounding this space is a defined border. Some interpret this feature as a frame, a railing, or a horizontal balcony with a height of half a cubit [רד״ק, שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל]. This protrusion could also serve the practical function of physically separating the blood sprinkled on the upper half of the altar from that sprinkled on the lower half [מלבי״ם]. Alternatively, this border refers to the horns located at the four corners of the altar. Under this view, the half-cubit measurement extends from the center of each horn, making every horn exactly one square cubit [רש״י, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל].

At the bottom of the structure lies a foundation protruding inward by a width of one cubit. While some scholars are uncertain of its exact architectural function [רד״ק, אברבנאל] or view it as the width of a smaller ledge [שטיינזלץ], most agree it is the fundamental base of the altar [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. This base carries profound historical and spiritual significance. In the days of the Second Temple, the base did not encircle the entire altar because certain sections fell outside the territory of the specific tribe that hosted it. However, the future Temple will not belong to any single tribe. Therefore, its foundation will completely surround the altar on all sides, reflecting absolute national unity [מצודת דוד].

Finally, the method of ascending the altar is carefully defined. Because the Torah explicitly forbids the use of stairs to approach the altar, commentators explain that the ascent is actually a smooth, inclined ramp [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אברבנאל, שטיינזלץ]. Plural language in the description indicates the presence of three ramps: one large central incline and two smaller ones leading to the base and the surrounding ledge [מצודת דוד]. Another perspective suggests that while actual stairs did exist, they were located outside the altar area and led only to the broader courtyard, never to the altar itself [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. The main ramp is positioned on the southern side of the altar. Following the established Temple rule that all turns must be made to the right, a priest walking up the southern ramp and turning right to begin his duties will naturally find himself facing directly east [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל, שטיינזלץ].