History of Temple & Synagogue Practice

[Angel]

I was wondering if anyone has historical knowledge that they can share regarding practices in the Temple and Synagogues, specifically during (and/or before) the time of Yeshua's life/ministry.

I have learned that synagogues came about after the destuction of Solomon's temple, after the people of Israel & Judah were taken into captivity, so that the people would have a place of worship...

I understand that there was a second temple (third if you count Moses' tent of meeting as the "first temple" ) built when Cyrus, the King of Persia decreed that the temple in Jerusalem should be rebuilt and that the released the people (of the G-d of Israel) to go and build it... (as taught in the book of Ezra)

I understand that this was the same temple that was still in existence during the lifetime of Yeshua, until it's destruction in 70ce...

I also understand that, in addition to the temple in Jerusalem, there were also synagogues scattered all over the "known world", wherever the people lived, for local worship, teaching, and meeting...

Do I have all of this correct, or am I missing something in the historical timeline?

I have LOTS of questions, so I thought I'd break them into seperate messages, so that (hopefully) responses can be posted based on the specific question... hope that's okay!

[Angel]

? A Temple with no Ark of the Covenant ?

Is it documented anywhere in scripture or history (not tradition) when the Ark disappeared?

How were the Jewish people able to observe Yom Kippur if there was no Ark for the High Priest to sprinkle blood on?

Did the duty of the High Priest change since there was no Ark?

After the Ark disappeared -- is there any scriptural evidence of G-d being present in the Holy of Holies?

Did the priest ever enter into the Holy of Holies since there was no Ark?

[Angel]

? Temple Teachings vs Synogogue Teaching ?

The B'rit Hadashah teaches us that Yeshua taught in the synogogues (one example: Luke 4:15-21) and he taught in the Temple (exampes: Mark 12:35; 14:49; Luke 19:47; 20:1; 21:37; John 7:14, 28; 8:2, 20; 18:20... )

Was there a special room in the Temple that was used for teaching? or was it in one of the courtyards (obviously NOT the "Court of the Women" ) ?

Was there a greater significance to Yeshua's teaching in the Temple vs his teaching in the synogogues?

or was it just a matter of time and place: when He was in Jerusalem: He taught in the Temple... or did He teach in the Temple in order to agitate the Pharisees and Sadducees ?
agitate: to attempt to wake them up from the " deadness " of their religious hypocrital lives
.... kindof like a lot of American churches are today-but that's a WHOLE different topic

[Angel]

? An Empty Chair in the Synogogue ?

I recently heard a teaching on the use of an empty chair in the synagogue - and that the purpose of this empty chair was a reminder of the seat reserved for the promised Messiah...

Can someone tell me if this is true?
and if so...

When did this practice start?

Was this "empty chair" practice used in the teaching area of the Temple as well?

Does this practice still continue in Jewish synogogues today?