It once happened that a Kohen who was occupied [at his task] noticed that [a certain stone of] the floor was different from the others. He came to tell his colleague. But before he had concluded the matter his soul departed from him; thus they knew with certainty that the Ark had been hidden there.

And where did they prostrate themselves [these thirteen times]? Four in the north, four in the south, three in the east, and two in the west, opposite [the] thirteen gates:  The southern gates, adjacent to the west: the Upper Gate, the Kindling Gate, the Firstlings’ Gate, the Water Gate. And why was it called the Water Gate? Because through it they would bring the flagon of water for the libation on Succos.  R’ Eliezer ben Yaakov says: Through it the waters trickle and they are des-tined to issue forth from beneath the threshold of the Temple.  Opposite these [southern gates], on the north, adjacent to the west: Yechaniah’s Gate, the Offering Gate, the Women’s Gate, the Music Gate. And why was it called Yechaniah’s Gate? Because through it [King] Yechaniah went to his exile.  In the east: Nikanor’s Gate, which had two wickets: one to its right and one to its left.  And two [gates] in the west, which were unnamed.

Thirteen tables were in the Temple:  Eight of marble were in the slaughter area, upon which they would rinse the en-trails.  Two were to the west of the [altar’s] ramp, one of marble and one of silver. Upon the marble one they would put the limbs [of the offerings]; upon the silver one, utensils for the service.  Two were inside the Antechamber near the Temple doorway, one of marble and one of gold. Upon the marble one they would put the Panim Bread when it was brought in, and upon the golden one when it was taken out, for regarding sanctified objects we ascend but do not descend.  And one of gold on the inside [of the Temple] upon which the Panim Bread [lay] continually.

Thirteen collection chests were in the Temple, upon which were inscribed [respectively]: “New Shekalim” and “Old Sheka-lim”; “Nests” and “Young Pigeon Burnt-Offerings”; “Wood” and “Frankincense”; “Gold for the Utensils”; [the remaining] six [were used] for [various] donative-offerings.  “New Shekalim” [was for the shekalim] of each year; and “Old [Shekalim]” [was for] one who did not pay his half shekel last year [and] pays it this year.  “Nests” refers to turtledoves; and “Young Pigeon Burnt-Offerings” refers to young pigeons; and all are burnt-offerings. [These are] the words of R’ Yehudah. But the [other] Sages say: “Nests” [was used by one required to bring two birds], one a sin-offering and one a burnt-offering; but ”Young Pigeon Burnt-Offerings” was for burnt-offerings only.