And when Israel would pray, all these chambers would open towards them.
But now, during the exile, it is statedliSee BT Berakhot 32b of them, that all the gates are closed, and the Shekhinah is outside Her chamber, and the Blessed Holy One is outside His chamber. And the angels appointed over prayer are outside their chambers. It is this that is written: (Is. 33:7) Behold their mighty-ones are shouting outside... And there is no place for prayers to enter.
And this is the meaning of ‘all the gates are closed, but the gates of tears are not closed.’