Afterwards, when fashioning the Altar, they would bring a third mold, which measured 28 cubits and 2 handbreadths by 28 cubits and 2 handbreadths. All authorities agree that the 1-cubit reduction in width made by the sovev was a 5-handbreadth cubit. The *mishnah,*¹ 3:1. however, did not detail the number of handbreadths, and only mentions, “28 cubits by 28 cubits.” Similarly, the verse states,² 43:17. “The azarah” – the [next] level – “was 14 in length and 14 in width.” This verse should be understood as meaning that the level above the sovev measured 14 cubits in all directions from its center, a total of 28 cubits by 28 cubits. The handbreadths were not counted. This mold was 3 cubits high. Thus, the upper surface of the Altar was 3 cubits high.

footnotes: ¹ Middos ² Yechezkel

Concerning it, the verse states,³15. “The Harel⁴ defines the term Harel as referring to the height of the Altar above the sovev. was 4 cubits.” The Talmud⁵ 53a. explains that the word “Harel” is referring to the “domain of the horns,” i.e., the place for the blood that is to be presented on the corners of the Altar was from the Ariel, i.e., from the upper surface of the Altar,⁶ definition of the Hebrew term in the verse. Often, Yechezkel uses the term Ariel as referring to the Altar as a whole. downward 4 cubits. Wherever the blood was presented within these 4 cubits, it was considered as having been presented on the upper portion of the Altar. The chut hasikra was located in the center of the Altar to make a distinction between the blood to be presented on the lower portion of the Altar and the blood to be presented on the upper portion of the Altar.⁷ The blood of a sin-offering has to be presented on the upper portion of the Altar while the blood of a burnt-offering has to be presented on the lower portion of the Altar.

footnotes: ³ Ibid.: ⁴ Rashi ⁵ Zevachim ⁶ Rashi’s ⁷ See Middos, loc. cit.

It was already explained⁸ that together, the foundation and the sovev were 6 cubits high. The Altar was 10 cubits high in its entirety, as will be explained.⁹ If so, the chut hasikra – which marked the midpoint of the Altar – was positioned at the last cubit of the *sovev.*¹⁰ down, as described immediately previously, and one cubit of the horns as described later on. Rambam explains¹¹, Middos 3:1; see also Hilchos Beis HaBechirah 2:9. that in the Second Beis HaMikdash, this cubit – i.e., the highest cubit of the sovev – comprised 6 handbreadths. To explain: In the Second Beis HaMikdash, the Altar’s foundation was one cubit high. However, this was a 5-handbreadth cubit. The sovev was 5 cubits high, but its cubits were 6-handbreadths cubits. Thus, the foundation and four cubits of the sovev comprised 29 handbreadths. Similarly, the remaining portion – i.e. the final cubit of the sovev, the 3 cubits of the upper surface of the Altar, and the 1 cubit of its horns – also comprised 29 handbreadths. This is because the sovev and the upper surface of the Altar were measured in cubits comprised of 6 handbreadths, and horns were measured in a cubit that was comprised of 5 handbreadths.¹² was in the center of the Altar, both when its height was measured in handbreadths and when it was measured in cubits.

footnotes: ⁸ See sec. 38. ⁹ See sec. 42 below. ¹⁰ Thus, there would be 5 cubits below it and 5 cubits above it; the upper 5 cubits included the 4 cubits from the Ariel ¹¹ Rambam ¹² Thus, the chut hasikra

There is, however, a difficulty according to Rashi’s understanding. Rashi agrees that the cubit used to measure the foundation’s height in the Second Beis HaMikdash was equal to 5 handbreadths. The foundation of the Altar in the Future Beis HaMikdash, however, will be 2 cubits high. Thus, the placement of the chut hasikra would change.¹³ would have to be lowered a half a cubit to be in the center of the Altar in handbreadths. It is, however, possible that although the foundation in the Future Beis HaMikdash will be 2 cubits high, only one of these cubits will comprise 5 handbreadths. This can be derived from the phrase,¹⁴ 43:13. “the foundation, a cubit,” that one of the foundation’s cubits will be an ordinary 5-handbreadth cubit.

footnotes: ¹³ I.e., the chut hasikra ¹⁴ Yechezkel