ירמיהו, פרק ז׳, פסוק ב׳

A prophet's physical placement often carries as much weight as the message itself. Jeremiah is instructed to position himself at the entrance of the Temple to deliver a direct warning to the people arriving for worship. He is specifically told to stand at the Eastern Gate, which was the most distinguished and important of all the Temple entrances [רד״ק]. From this vantage point, his audience consists of the masses flowing into the courtyard through its seven entryways—three on the north, three on the south, and one on the east [רד״ק].

Delivering a prophecy at the Temple gates is a highly deliberate choice, intended to confront the crowds exactly as they arrive to offer sacrifices. By addressing the people right as they prepare to bow down, the message directly challenges a deeply rooted misconception. These individuals mistakenly believe that the mere physical acts of bowing and bringing offerings are, on their own, the primary actions God desires [מלבי״ם].