The Kodesh Hakodashim, "Holy of Holies", the most sacred site in traditional Judaism, is the inner sanctuary within the Tabernacle and Temple in Jerusalem when Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple were standing. Traditional Judaism regards the location where the inner sanctuary was originally located, on the Temple Mount in Mount Moriah, as retaining some or all of its original sanctity for use in a future Third Temple. The exact location of the Kadosh Hakadashim is a subject of dispute.
The Kadosh Hakadashim was located in the westernmost end of the Temple building, being a perfect cube: 10 cubits by 10 cubits, by 10 cubits. The inside was in total darkness and contained the Ark of the Covenant, gilded inside and out, in which were placed the Tablets of the Covenant, the Rod of Aaron and a pot of manna. The Ark was covered with a gilded lid known as the "mercy seat" for the Divine Presence. When the Temple was rebuilt after the Babylonian captivity, the Ark was no longer present in the Holy of Holies; instead, a portion of the floor was raised slightly to indicate the place where it had stood. Josephus records that Pompey profaned the Temple by insisting on entering the Holy of Holies.
The Holy of Holies was hidden by a veil, and no one was permitted to enter except the High Priest,
and even he could only enter once a year on Yom Kippur, to offer the blood of sacrifice and incense before the mercy seat.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solomon's strong alliance with Hiram I, King of Tyre, greatly assisted him in his numerous undertakings. Many of the materials and professional craftsmen for the construction of the Temple, were brought over from Tyre, including the chief architect, also named Hiram, who was sent especially to Jerusalem by the King of Tyre to assist in the construction. The description of the Temple is remarkably similar to that of surviving remains of other temples of the time, and it is certainly plausible, that Solomon was influenced by the architecture of the region.
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Only High Priests were allowed into the Holy of Holies.
Hiram Abiff was not a High Priest.
Hiram Abiff was an architect, not a "mason/laborer".
Could Hiram Abiff been trespassing on Holy grounds every day at noon?
Could the 3 Ruffians have been guards of the Holy of Holies, and since Hiram was not a MM nor a High Priest, he could not have had the Password nor the right to tread on such Holy Grounds?
So, when confronted by the Ruffians/Guards of the Sanctum Sanctorum, and asked for the secret/password, he had no answer, and tried to escape/flee and was caught?
Very informative and interesting. As to the questions pose; I ask why would the ruffians flee? Why would they later lament out loud about being consumed with guilt over having killed "their" Master. Why would they wish the worst of fates upon themselves as retribution for their acts?
ReplyDeleteGreetings Bro J.Luis,
ReplyDeleteTo the question why would the ruffians flee? Maybe their orders were to only detain, and not kill. Killing was against the Laws, so they were scared, tried to hide the evidence and flee?
"Why would they later lament out loud about being consumed with guilt over having killed "their" Master?" Maybe they were to call him Grand Master, but he was still not a High Priest, and they were charged with not allowing anyone but the High priest to enter the Holy of Holies, and thus had to act?
"Why would they wish the worst of fates upon themselves as retribution for their acts?"
Murder is murder no matter what the situation is. Guilt can bring a heavy burden.
Master Mason's work stone.
Hiram worked brass and metals,and decorated.
What about Solomon and his morals?
ReplyDeleteIt's important to remember that at the temple was not complete when the legend of the third degree took place. The restrictions on who was allowed access didn't apply until after King Solomon dedicated the temple and made it a holy place. Obviously, the builders had to move freely about the temple. Hiram, the widow's son, was of the tribe of Naphtali (not Levi) so he couldn't enter any part of the temple if the access restrictions applied.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good post about the Holy of Holies. I'll check this blog out regularly. I wrote a post about the relationship between Solomon's Temple and Masonic ritual on my blog.
http://www.newfreemasons.com/temple
And I agree, Solomon did have some loose morals. The Old Testament only has a handful of men that are completely uncorrectable.