Friday, July 14, 2006

Yoma 37 Shlomo's pool in Bayis Sheini

The Gemora tells us that a pully system was made in order to lower the כיור every night underneath the ground, so that the water should not become פסול by remaining overnight. Tosfos Yeshonim (printed on 38a) comments that they would lower it into the pool that Shlomo Hamelech built and he concludes that he is not sure if the pool was still in existence in the times of the second Beis Hamikdosh. Reb Yaakov Emden asks on him that there is an explicit passuk at the end of Melachim that this was taken away by the Kasdiyim and it is not mentioned in Mishnayos Middos or Tamid which discusses the halachos pertaining to the second Beis Hamikdosh? The Rambam in ביאת המקדש פרק ה הלכה טו discusses the halachic status of this pool and the מעשי למלך wonders why the Rambam makes mention of it since it wasn't there in Bayis Sheini and therefore not revelant?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

What was this pool all about?

Avromi said...

This is discussed in Melachim perek zayin and in divrei hayomim as well. Shlomo made a pool that was 30 cubits in circumference and it rested on 12 copper animals and through those animals, the water was conneected to the ground. It was placed in the front of the courtyard and the kohanim used it for a mikvah. It is unclear if there were steps to get in or if there was any type of mechitza around it.