מלכים א, פרק ו׳, פסוק כ״א

The construction of the Temple reached its most luxurious finishing stages as the interior was coated in pure gold. A central focus of this phase was the design of the area separating the Holy of Holies from the main sanctuary. Commentators differ on exactly which part of the building received this specific golden treatment. One approach suggests the focus is entirely on the Holy of Holies itself [רש״י, רלב״ג]. Conversely, another perspective maintains that the main sanctuary is the subject, showing that it too was overlaid with the same refined, high-quality gold as the Holy of Holies [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם].

The focus then shifts to the structure dividing these two sacred spaces. Unlike the desert Tabernacle, which used a curtain to separate the rooms, a permanent partition wall, about a cubit thick, was built between the sanctuary and the Holy of Holies [רד״ק, רלב״ג, אברבנאל]. A unique feature was added to this wall in the form of golden bolts and chains. The primary approach among commentators is that this solid partition wall contained doors, and the gold chains served as locking bolts for these doors on the side facing the main sanctuary [אברבנאל, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג]. Another view suggests these chains were simply a decorative design element [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

A more practical, structural explanation is also offered regarding the use of these chains [מלבי״ם]. Unlike the rest of the Temple walls, which were lined with cedar wood, this specific partition was constructed from stone. Because the natural moisture of stone would tarnish and blacken direct gold plating, King Solomon devised a creative solution. He embedded golden chains into the stones and attached the gold plating directly to the chains. This allowed the gold to remain stable without ever touching the damp stone. Alternatively, if the stone wall did not reach all the way to the ceiling, these chains may have been woven into a golden net to fill the remaining open space. Ultimately, the entire partition wall was completely overlaid with gold on both of its sides, facing both the main sanctuary and the Holy of Holies [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל, רד״ק].