23. Rabbi Shimon said: Of these cities (also: 'courts') it is written: "And stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house" (Ester 5:1). Everywhere when it is written IN THE SCROLL, 'the King' -without a name - it refers to the Holy One, blessed be He. "And stood:" standing means in prayer. "...over against the king's house," MEANING facing the Temple, as all Yisrael are obligated to pray there facing the Temple. And here, what is THE MEANING OF the inner court? Assuredly, there are two courts of the House of Hashem, AN OUTER AND INNER. YET YOU SAY THAT THE HOUSES OF THE COURTYARD WERE OUTER.