What did the temple veil separate?
The temple veil separated the sanctuary, the fore part where priests ministered daily, from the Holy of Holies, which contained the Ark of the Covenant, the presence of God, and the Shekinah Glory. Only the High Priest entered behind the veil once a year on the Day of Atonement.
Les explains that the veil was that part in the tabernacle and later in the temple that separated the sanctuary, where priests ministered daily, from the Holy of Holies, wherein was the Ark of the Covenant, the presence of God, and the Shekinah Glory. Only Aaron the High Priest would go behind the veil once a year on the Day of Atonement. In Solomon's temple the veil was so thick and heavy that Josephus indicates a team of oxen couldn't have ripped it apart. Yet it was ripped in two from top to bottom, proving men had nothing to do with it; it was a miracle working God, indicating the way into God's presence was made possible by His death, because the veil symbolized His body of flesh.