1)

Where is "Pesach Sha'ar Beis Hashem [Asher Al ha'Tzafonah]"?

1.

Rashi: It is in the interior of the Azarah, towards the opening of the Heichal, in the north. There were two small openings in Beis ha'Chalifos (extensions of the Ulam to the sides) - one in the north and one in the south.

2.

Radak: This is the gate of the cell that is called also Tzela and Yetzi'ah. It was in the wall of the Heichal, on the outside. Those in the north were open to the north of the Azarah, i.e. Chatzer ha'Penimis.

2)

What is the meaning of "Mevakos Es ha'Tamuz"?

1.

Rashi: It is an image. They heat it from the inside. Its eyes are of lead; they melt due to the fire's heat, and it looks like it cries. The women say that it requests an offering. Tamuz is an expression of a fire, like "Di Chaze l'Mezye", "v'Atuna Eze Yatira" (Daniel 3:19, 22).

2.

Radak #1: Mevakos is a euphemism. They rejoiced in Tamuz and made a festival for idolatry. Women came for this.

3.

Radak #2: They did tricks so that water would come to the eyes of the idols called Tamuz; it 'cried' to say that it requests that they serve it.

4.

Radak #3: Tamuz is burned, killed "l'Meze l'Atuna" (Daniel 3:19). They cried over the one who was burned. They used to burn their sons and daughters in fire, and the women cried over them.

5.

Radak and Malbim, citing the Rambam: An old Sefer of idolaters discusses a Navi of idolatry named Tamuz. He commanded the king to serve the seven Kochvei Leket (the sun, moon and five closest planets) and 12 Mazalos. The king killed him brutally. That night, all the images from the ends of the land gathered to the palace of Bavel, to the gold image, of the sun. It was suspended between Shamayim and the land, and fell in the Heichal. The other images were around it; it told them what happened to Tamuz. They cried over and eulogize him the entire night. It became a statute to cry over him on Rosh Chodesh Tamuz every year.

6.

Radak #4: Tamuz is the name of a Chayah that they used to serve its form. The Targum of "u'Fagshu Tziyim Es Iyim" (Yeshayah 34:14) is 'vi'Ar'an Tamuzin 1 ba'Chetulin.'

7.

Malbim citing the Rambam: Avodah of Molech was also to the sun. They heated the image in fire (Tamuz refers to heating in Arame'ic) and put their children on the image. They cried upon hearing the voice of their children [screaming].


1

Our text of Yonason says 'Tamvan'. (PF)

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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