3,875. Being in Awe of the Temple

Hilchos Beis HaBechirah 7:1

There is a Torah obligation to be in awe of the Temple, as per Leviticus 19:30: “You shall revere My sanctuary.” It is not the physical structure for which we must have awe, but rather the One Who commanded that it be revered.

Hilchos Beis HaBechirah 7:2

The aforementioned reverence entails not entering the Temple Mount with one’s staff, or with his sandals (i.e., shoes) on, in his underclothes, with dust on his feet or with money tied up in a kerchief. It goes without saying that one may not spit anywhere on the Temple Mount; if one needs to expel saliva, he should let it be absorbed by his garment. One may not take a shortcut through the Temple Mount, entering through one gate and exiting through the one opposite it. Rather, one must walk around the outside, entering only to perform a mitzvah.