Pensamiento judío sobre Levítico 16:18

Similarly, there is no difficulty according to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who maintains²⁰Zevachim 53a. that the entire Altar was positioned on the northern side of the Sanctuary with exception of its southern foundation. Even according to this opinion, it could still be said that the Altar was positioned “before God,”²¹Vayikra 4:18, 16:18. i.e., opposite the entrance to the Sanctuary. According to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the Altar’s ramp was located on the south side, so that the kohanim ascending the Altar could fulfill the charge that one who turns should turn to the east.²²Yechezkel 43:17; see sec. 43, above. Since Rabbi Shimon maintains that the entire Altar was positioned in the north, according to his approach there was even more space between the ramp and the southern wall than according to Rabbi Yehudah’s approach.