But on the fixed occasions, when the common people come before Hashem, whoever enters by the north gate to bow low shall leave by the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate shall leave by the north gateEzekiel 46:9 (The Israel Bible™)וּבְבוֹא עַם־הָאָרֶץ לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה בַּמּוֹעֲדִים הַבָּא דֶּרֶךְ־שַׁעַר צָפוֹן לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוׂת יֵצֵא דֶּרֶךְ־שַׁעַר נֶגֶב וְהַבָּא דֶּרֶךְ־שַׁעַר נֶגֶב יֵצֵא דֶּרֶךְ־שַׁעַר צָפוֹנָהHear the verse in Hebrewu-v’-VO am ha-A-retz lif-NAY a-do-NAI ba-mo-a-DEEM ha-BA DE-rekh SHA-ar tza-FON
l’-hish-ta-kha-VOT yay-TZAY de-rekh SHA-ar NE-gev v’-ha-BA de-rekh SHA-ar NE-gev yay-TZAY de-rekh SHA-ar tza-FO-nah
Worship in the Third Temple
Yechezkel (Ezekiel) outlines a series of regulations regarding the orderly flow of worship in the third Temple. Though his instructions appear technical in nature, they contain important spiritual messages. The people are required to come to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) three times a year during the pilgrimage festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. All pilgrims were expected to leave the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple) courtyard from the gate on the opposite side from where they had entered. One suggestion to explain this procedure is that it incorporates a sense of variety, so that worshipers at the Holy Temple will feel enhanced excitement as they enter, and even as they exit, the complex.
| 
