Expert: Messianic Rabbi Yochanan Levine - 6/29/2011

Question
QUESTION: In the inner court why were the offerers wearing linen clothes

ANSWER: Shalom,

As is so often the case the text itself answers this:

Ezekiel 44:17  And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.
44:18  They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.

As they ministered at the alter of HaShem the heat from the fire was sometimes overwhelming. Woolen clothing was very hot, making them perspire, thus possibly contaminating the sacrifice. There would be no need of warm clothing in the presence of the fire and so they needed very little/light clothing. Nonetheless they had to be covered as a sign of humility before Adonai.

Also, fine linen, clean and white, is symbolic of their tsedâqâh (righteousness).


Hope this helps,
~ Rabbi Yochanan


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: were woman allowed in the innner court

Answer
Shalom,

There were (will be) four courts in the Beit HaMikdash (Place of the Holy -- i.e. the Jerusalem Temple):

According to Josephus (Apion 2.8; 103-109):

The outer court was (will be) open to everyone (including non-Jews). The only exception to this policy was (will be) menstruating women (Jewish or Goyim).

Into the second court were (will be) allowed all Jewish men and menstrually-clean (as defined by Torah) Jewish women.

Only Jewish males were (will be) allowed to enter the third court.

Into the fourth court only properly dressed and sanctified priests (who were/will be always male) and who were currently on duty were allow to enter.

These rules are specified in the Torah and eye witnesses like Josephus testify that the rules were still enforced in the as late as the firsts century (the Beit HaMikdash of fell in 70 CE).