There were thirteen collection chests, thirteen tables, [and] thirteen prostrations in the Temple. [Members] of Rabban Gam-liel’s family and of R’ Chananyah’s family would prostrate themselves fourteen [times]. And where was the extra [prostra-tion]? Opposite the wood chamber; for they had a tradition from their ancestors that the Ark was hidden there.

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.

One who says: “I obligate myself [to offer] wood,” may not bring less than two blocks; [if he says,] “Frankincense,” he may not bring less than a fistful; [if he says,] “Gold,” he may not bring less than a gold dinar.  What was done with the [funds in the] six chests [designated] for donative-offerings? They would buy burnt-offerings; the meat for God and the hides for the Kohanim. This exposition was expounded by Yehoyada the Kohen Gadol:  It is a guilt-offering, for he is guilty, a guilt-offering to Hashem [Leviticus 5:19]. This is the general rule: Whatever comes because of sin or because of guilt shall be used to purchase burnt-offerings; the meat for God and the hides for the Kohanim. Thus the two verses are reconciled: [It is a] guilt-offering for Hashem and a guilt-offering for the Kohanim. And it also says: The guilt-offerings money and the sin-offerings money shall not be brought to the Temple of Hashem; they shall be for the Kohanim (II Kings 12:17).

Coins which are found between the shekalim [chests] and the donative-offering [chests]: [if they are found] closer to the shekalim [chests], they should fall to the shekalim [chests]; [if closer] to the donative-offering [chests], they should fall to the donative-offering [chests]; [if] equidistant from the two, they should fall to the donative-offering [chests].  [Coins which are found] between “Wood” and “Frankincense”: [if they are found] closer to “Wood,” they should fall to “Wood”; [if closer] to “Frankincense,” they should fall to “Frankincense”; [if] equidistant from the two, they should fall to “Frankincense.” [Coins which are found] between “Nests” and “Young Pigeon Burnt-Offerings”: [if they are found] closer to “Nests,” they should fall to “Nests”; [if closer] to “Young Pigeon Burnt-Offerings,” they should fall to “Young Pigeon Burnt-Offerings”; [if] equidistant from the two, they should fall to “Young Pigeon Burnt-Offerings.”  [Coins which are found] between nonconsecrated [funds] and second tithe [funds]: [if they are found] closer to nonconsecrated [funds], they should fall to nonconsecrated [funds]; [if closer] to second tithe [funds], they should fall to second tithe [funds]; [if] equidistant from the two, they should fall to second tithe [funds].  This is the general rule: We decide according to proximity [even] for leni-ency, but in a case of equidistance we decide for stringency.

Coins which are found before animal dealers [in Jerusalem] are always [assumed to be second] tithe [money]. [Coins found] on the Temple Mount [are assumed to be] nonconsecrated.  [Coins found elsewhere] in Jerusalem: [if they are found] during the pilgrimage festivals, [they are assumed to be second] tithe [money]; but during the rest of the year, [they are assumed to be] nonconsecrated.

[If] meat is found in the [Temple] Courtyard, limbs are [assumed to be] burnt-offerings, but slices are [assumed to be] sin-offerings. [If meat is found] in Jerusalem, it is [assumed to be] peace-offerings. In either case it must be left until it is unfit and then removed to the place of burning.  [If meat is] found in the province, limbs are [assumed to be] unslaugh-tered, [but] slices are permitted. At the time of the pilgrimage festival when meat is plentiful, even limbs are permitted.

An animal that was found between Jerusalem and Migdal Eder or at a similar dis-tance [from Jerusalem] in any direction: males are [assumed to be] burnt-offerings, females are [assumed to be] peace-offerings.  R’ Yehudah says: Those suitable for pesach-offerings are [assumed to be] pesach-offerings, during the thirty days before Pesach.