<P> The Holy of Holies, the most sacred site in Judaism, is the inner sanctuary within the Tabernacle and Temple in Jerusalem when Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple were standing . The Holy of Holies was located in the westernmost end of the Temple building, being a perfect cube: 20 cubits by 20 cubits by 20 cubits . The inside was in total darkness and contained the Ark of the Covenant, gilded inside and out, in which was placed the Tablets of the Covenant . According to Hebrews 9: 4 in the New Testament, Aaron's rod and a pot of manna were also in the ark . The Ark was covered with a lid made of pure gold, known as the "mercy seat" (Exodus 37: 6) which was covered by the beaten gold cherubim wings . Creating the space for the Divine Presence . </P> <P> When the Temple was rebuilt after the Babylonian captivity, the Ark was no longer present in the Holy of Holies; instead, a portion of the floor was raised slightly to indicate the place where it had stood . Josephus records that Pompey profaned the Temple by insisting on entering the Holy of Holies in 63 BCE . </P> <P> The Holy of Holies was entered once a year by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement, to sprinkle the blood of sacrificial animals (a bull offered as atonement for the Priest and his household, and a goat offered as atonement for the people) and offer incense upon the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat which sat on top of the ark in the First Temple (the Second Temple had no ark and the blood was sprinkled where the Ark would have been and the incense was left on the Foundation Stone). The animal was sacrificed on the Brazen Altar and the blood was carried into the most holy place . The golden censers were also found in the Most Holy Place . </P> <P> According to the Hebrew Bible, in order that God may dwell among the Israelites, God gave Moses instructions for erecting a sanctuary . The directions provide for: </P>

What took place in the holy of holies