3,877. Acting Foolish; Sitting in the Courtyard

Hilchos Beis HaBechirah 7:5

One may not act in a lightheaded manner in front of the Nicanor gate, which is the eastern gate of the courtyard, because it is located opposite the Holy of Holies. Anyone who enters the courtyard must walk in a dignified fashion in the area where he is allowed to walk. One must see himself as standing before God as per I Kings 9:3: “My eyes and My heart will be there forever.” One must walk with reverence, awe and fear as Psalms 55:15: “We walked in God’s House together.”

Hilchos Beis HaBechirah 7:6

It is prohibited for anyone to sit in the courtyard except for a king of the Davidic dynasty, as per II Samuel 7:18: “King David entered and sat before Hashem.” The Sanhedrin, who met in the chamber of hewn stone, only sat in the half that was secular.