Defining the Valid North of the Altar Courtyard

"The altar northward" means that the whole altar must be fit for the north, so that if they slaughtered most holy offerings on its top they are valid; these are the words of Rabbi. Rabbi Yose son of Rabbi Judah says: from the middle of the altar northward counts as north, and from the middle of the altar southward counts as south. "Northward before the LORD" means that the whole north must be unobstructed; these are the words of Rabbi Eliezer ben Jacob. (He says:) the altar is aligned opposite the middle of the entrance of the Sanctuary and opposite one of the doors, drawn toward the south. Rabbi Judah says: the altar stood centered in the middle of the courtyard, thirty-two cubits; ten cubits opposite the entrance of the Sanctuary, eleven cubits to the north, and eleven cubits to the south. Thus the altar is found aligned opposite the Sanctuary and its walls. Which is the north? From the northern corner of the altar to the northern wall of the courtyard, and also opposite the altar; these are the words of Rabbi Yose son of Rabbi Judah. Rabbi Eleazar son of Rabbi Simeon adds the area from opposite the space between the porch and the altar up to the northern wall of the courtyard. And Rabbi adds even the area opposite the place where Israelites tread and where the priests tread, from the wall of the altar northward to the northern wall of the courtyard; but from opposite the chamber of the knives inward, all agree that it is invalid. "Northward before the LORD" teaches that there is no north on a private altar.