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The Gate of Water
The Gate of Water was the eastern-most gate of
the four southern gates of the Court. Through this gate
a flask of water from the Shiloach Spring was brought up to the Temple, to be used for the water libation which took place on the
mizbeach during the Sukkot holiday. A different opinion claims that the name "Water Gate" is derived from the prophecy which
states that in the future, a river will flow from under the Holy of Holies, and the water will flow, through this gate and out of
the Temple. (Zechariah 14,8) Above this gate was a ritual bath in which the High Priest would immerse himself for the first of his
immersions on Yom Kippur. |