פירוש על שמות 30:6

לפני הכפרת BEFORE THE PARTITION VEIL — But this vail was drawn across the entire width of the Tabernacle, and you may perhaps say that the altar was not to be placed exactly before (exactly in a straight line with) the Ark but might be withdrawn from the straight line to the North or to the south since in that position, too, it would be before the partition vail; therefore it states further, “before the covering of the Ark”, i. e. exactly in front of the Ark but outside the veil.

ונתת אותו לפני הפרכת. in the sanctuary.

Lest you say that it should be somewhat drawn away from being exactly opposite the Ark. . . Rashi is explaining why it is written, “In front of the covering,” after it already said, “In front of the paroches.” It is because the paroches traversed the whole width of the mishkon. Therefore we might think that the altar was in front of the paroches not right in the middle; the altar was rather drawn towards the northern or southern wall. Therefore Scripture adds, “In front of the covering. . .”