מלכים א, פרק ו׳, פסוק י׳

The construction of the Temple included a network of auxiliary structures built to surround the holy site. Rather than being placed on the roof of the Temple, these attached chambers enclosed the building on three sides, leaning directly against its outer walls [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, רלב״ג]. While these additions are often understood as standard rooms, a unique perspective suggests they were not closed living quarters. Instead, they functioned as open wooden balconies or corridors, providing a space for the priests and Levites to walk and observe the surrounding area from above [אברבנאל]. The height of these structures is specifically noted as five cubits, a detail introduced to clarify the dimensions of the individual sections [אברבנאל]. Commentators agree that this measurement does not represent the total height of the entire addition, but rather the height of each separate level. Because the structure consisted of three distinct stories, the total height reached fifteen cubits, not accounting for the thickness of the ceilings [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג].

The method used to attach these side structures to the main Temple building involved cedar wood. The primary approach among commentators is that this connection provided structural support. Cedar beams, which served as the ceilings for the outer chambers, rested securely on pre-made ledges built into the external walls of the Temple. This engineering technique allowed the side structures to be supported by the main building without requiring the wooden beams to pierce or damage the holy walls themselves [מלבי״ם, רד״ק, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, אברבנאל]. Other scholars view this use of cedar differently, suggesting it describes the covering of the upper roof and the ceiling of the highest chamber [רש״י]. Alternatively, the cedar may not relate to external engineering at all, but rather to the decorative coating and paneling of the Temple's interior walls [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Beyond the architectural details, the specific choice of cedar wood carries a deep symbolic message. A cedar tree planted near water grows beautiful and strong, but without a water source, it becomes withered and isolated. The Temple shares this exact dynamic. As long as the Israelites immerse themselves in the study of Torah—which is compared to life-giving water—the Temple stands in full glory. However, if they abandon the Torah, the resulting spiritual drought inevitably leads to poverty, destruction, and exile [אהבת יהונתן].