However Rashi’s opinion is that the length of the Ulam is only those twenty amos in front of the entrance, parallel to the width of the Heichal which was also twenty amos. Accordingly, the ta’im on the northern and southern sides of the Heichal extended all the way back to the eastern wall of the Ulam. (See picture. The purple area alone, is the Ulam, according to Rashi.)
The width of the Ulam was eleven amos. The height of the Ulam was one hundred amos, as was the height of the Heichal. The Mishnah (Middos 3:8) writes that cedar beams were placed between the (eastern) wall of the Ulam and the (eastern) wall of the Heichal in order to prevent the wall from collapsing. Golden chains dangled from the ceiling of the Ulam. The Pirchei (young) kohanim would climb these chains to see the crowns which were in the windows of the Heichal. (Middos 3:8) There was also a golden vine lying on poles, near the entrance of the Heichal. Any gold that was donated to Beis Hamikdosh was placed on this vine in the form of a grape, leaf or cluster, until it was needed.
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Cross section #1 of the Heichal
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