נחמיה, פרק ח׳, פסוק ט״ז

The people go out to gather materials and build temporary booths in a wide variety of locations. This building effort reaches into every corner of the city, from the rooftops and courtyards of private homes to the courtyards of the House of God.

The construction also extends into the public spaces, specifically near the Water Gate and the Gate of Ephraim. The areas chosen near these gates are not narrow alleys or simple walkways. Rather, they are the large, open plazas situated directly in front of the city gates. Ordinarily, these central public squares serve as bustling hubs for daily markets and large public gatherings. During this time, however, they are entirely repurposed, filling up completely with the newly constructed booths.