The Otem

The floor level of the Antechamber stood 6 amos above that of the Courtyard. These first 6 amos of the building’s height were occupied by the Otem, a sturdy foundation of hewn stone which rested upon the bedrock of Mount Moriah and supported the immense weight of the Antechamber and Sanctuary walls. Due to the steps in the east, the Otem was not at all visible on that side but could be seen on the northern, southern, and western sides of the Antechamber. The Otem extended under the Sanctuary as well but was not visible from the outside of the building (it formed the inner wall of the bottom level of tau'im, or small rooms outside the Sanctuary).

Structure and location of the Otem