מלכים א, פרק ז׳, פסוק ל״ט

The exact placement of the central Temple vessels, including the ten lavers and the large copper Sea, was carefully planned within the sacred space. The lavers were positioned along the sides of the structure [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators is that this location refers to the courtyard of the priests, where the altar for burnt offerings stood. While one perspective initially considers that they might have been placed in the gap between the Sanctuary walls and the courtyard wall, the courtyard itself is the more accurate setting [רלב״ג]. These lavers served a practical and ritual purpose, used for washing the hands and feet of the priests as well as rinsing the meat of the burnt offerings [רד״ק].

They were divided evenly, with five on the right and five on the left. The straightforward understanding is that they were placed on the right and left sides of the courtyard. However, an ancient tradition suggests a deeper historical connection: the right and left positions were determined relative to the original copper laver crafted by Moses in the desert. According to this view, five of the new lavers stood on its right and five on its left [רד״ק, אברבנאל].

The large pool known as the Sea was positioned toward the east [ביאור שטיינזלץ], though commentators present an interesting debate regarding its exact corner. The primary approach among commentators is that the Sea was located in the southeastern corner of the priests' courtyard. This specific area was considered somewhat less important within the courtyard, as it was situated near the spot where the ashes from the altar were deposited [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, רלב״ג, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

In contrast, a completely different perspective argues that the Sea was actually placed in the northeastern corner [רש״י]. This conclusion stems from a subtle distinction in the text describing its position relative to the south. While standard phrasing might simply mean facing a direction, the specific wording used implies a distancing or moving away from the south. Therefore, by being distanced from the southern side, the Sea was ultimately situated in the north.