English: It was taught, Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov says: “Northward before Hashem” — that the entire north be clear [teaching that the altar did not stand in the north].
In the sugya: “Northward before Hashem” requires a clear north. The altar is not planted in the north; that zone stays open for shechitah of kodshei kodashim.
Type of Learning
Diyuk from “tzafonah lifnei Hashem” — the north remains clear.
What Is Learned
The north of the courtyard remains open for shechitah; the altar itself is not placed in the north. “Northward before Hashem” is the source of that clear zone.