The Overseer's Greeting

The lottery overseer arrives and announces himself by knocking on the door of the priests' chamber, the Place of the Fire, and when they open the door to greet him he bids them: "Whoever has immersed himself, let him come to draw lots!" to determine who will merit the first service of the day.

The priests make their way to the Chamber of Hewn Stone, where the lotteries took place. This was the same compartment which housed the Great Sanhedrin. Part of this chamber extended into the holy area, and part remained without. The law required that the lottery be held within the holy area, and it was in this part that it took place.