The Two Veils of the Sanctuary and Their Weaving

The veil [parochet]: its length was forty cubits and its breadth twenty cubits, and it was woven of blue, purple, and twisted fine linen, the work of a skilled designer. And there was another there, its length twenty cubits and its breadth ten cubits, woven of blue, purple, and twisted fine linen, the work of an embroiderer, and it was spread over the entrance of the Sanctuary from outside. Rabbi says: they would bring it out from inside, and it was folded once into two and twice into four, and it was spread over the entrance of the Sanctuary from outside. They said to him: shall one that served in a graver holiness return and serve in a lighter holiness? Another explanation: of this one it is written "the work of a skilled designer" (Exodus 26:31), and of that one it is written "the work of an embroiderer" (Exodus 26:36). Rabbi Nechemiah says: of this one it is written "the work of a skilled designer," two faces, and of that one "the work of an embroiderer," one face. Rather, the one they would bring out from inside was folded once into two and twice into four, and it was placed in the upper chamber opposite the lower one, as it is said, "and the veil shall divide for you" and so forth (Exodus 26:33). Rabbi Chanina ben Antignos says: there were two veils there, one spread out and one folded. If the spread one became impure, they would spread the folded one. On the eve of the Day of Atonement they would bring in the new one and take out the old one.