For the source text click/tap here: Zevachim 53
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Somewhat surprisingly, the yesod ha-mizbe’aḥ – the foundation of the altar – is found only on the Northern and Western sides. The Eastern and Southern sides had no yesod.
Rabbi Elazar explains that this is because that area of the altar did not fall in the area belonging to the tribe of Binyamin, rather it was in the area belonging to the tribe of Yehuda. Rav Shmuel bar Yitzḥak explains that this is because one amah of the altar cut into the area that belonged to the tribe of Yehuda.
The Gemara in -Massekhet Yoma- (12a) teaches that there is a disagreement between the Tanna Kamma who believes that Jerusalem was a separate entity – that it was not divided between the shevatim and Rabbi Yehuda who argues that Jerusalem was divided. According to this opinion the border between Yehuda and Binyamin ran through -the Temple- itself, with the -Temple Mount- offices on Yehuda’s side and the sanctuary and Holy of Holies on Binyamin’s.
We explore the literary historical and tensions between Judah and Benjamin.