מלכים א, פרק ו׳, פסוק ל״א

The construction of the Temple reached its peak at its most sacred space, the Holy of Holies. The partition dividing the main hall from this innermost sanctuary demanded a unique design, crafted from the finest materials with absolute precision. For this critical threshold, two doors were prepared, each designed to cover exactly half of the entrance space [מצודת דוד]. These doors were carved from a rich, oil-producing wood. This material is understood to be either fine olive wood [רש״י] or a premium type of cedar known for yielding both oil and fruit [אברבנאל].

The structure of the doorway itself presents an interesting architectural detail. One perspective suggests the frame consisted of a traditional top lintel supported by two side posts [מלבי״ם, רלב״ג, רד״ק, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another view explains that the structural focus was entirely on the side posts themselves, which were either distinctively rounded like rams [רש״י] or simply served as standard doorposts [מצודת ציון].

A defining feature of this entrance is its association with the number five, which is understood in two distinct ways. The first interpretation relates to the physical shape of the doorposts. Unlike standard square frames, these posts were uniquely carved with five sides [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. The second approach, considered the more accurate reading by [אברבנאל], explains that this number marks the entrance's exact location within the Temple complex. A person walking from the outside world into the heart of the sanctuary would pass through a sequence of gates: first into the large courtyard, then the courtyard of the priests, the entrance hall, and the main sanctuary. This final gateway, leading straight into the Holy of Holies, was the fifth and innermost entrance [מלבי״ם, רלב״ג, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ].