מלכים א, פרק ו׳, פסוק ה׳

King Solomon expanded the Temple by constructing a multi-story side wing around its outer walls. This additional structure served the daily needs of the Temple while forming a physical and spiritual protective layer around the holy sanctuary. The wing leaned directly against the Temple's exterior, using it for support [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. It consisted of a network of hidden, modest rooms [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This addition wrapped around both the main sanctuary and the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber known as the source of God's divine speech [מצודת ציון].

The primary approach among commentators is that this side wing wrapped around the Temple on exactly three sides: the north, west, and south. The eastern side was deliberately left open, as it housed the main entrance hall where the priests entered [רש״י, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Rising three stories high, the wing was built with great care to protect the holiness of the Temple walls. To avoid carving holes into the sacred stone to anchor wooden beams, the outer walls of the Temple were built with a stepped design. The beams of the side structure simply rested on these ledges, preserving the absolute integrity of the holy walls [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Another perspective imagines this side structure as an elegant balcony supported by beautiful pillars [צאינה וראינה].

There are different views regarding the specific layout of these side chambers. A common understanding is that the various terms used for the side structure all refer to the same rooms, which were simply named for their location on the sides of the main building [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת ציון]. However, others draw clear distinctions between the structural elements. Some suggest that the side wing refers to the entire outer building, while the side chambers specifically describe the inner wooden partitions that divided the large space into individual rooms [מלבי״ם]. A different approach proposes that these elements were actually wooden panels covering the Temple's outer walls. Because people actively walked through and used the side wings, these wooden boards acted as a barrier to prevent anyone from directly touching the sacred stones [אברבנאל].

Beyond its architectural function, this surrounding structure carries a deeper meaning. Just as the side wings and outer chambers enclosed and protected the Temple, the Torah and the Commandments given by God act as a protective layer over human nature. They safeguard the spiritual integrity of the Israelites, preserving their unique identity and keeping them distinct from other nations [אהבת יהונתן].