Rashi on TanakhExodus 40

And spread over the ark. [וְסַכֹּתָ] a term meaning “shielding,” for [in this case] it was a partition.

And set it in order — the two piles of the showbread.

He spread the tent. This refers to the curtains of the goats’ hairs.

He placed the Testimony. [Meaning:] the Tablets.

On the north side of the mishkon. [I.e.,] in the northern half of the width of the House.

יֶרֶךְ — is as Onkelos translates it, “the side” just as the thigh is on the side of the person.

He burnt the incense of spices upon it — morning and evening as it says: “every single morning when he fixes the lamps, etc.”

He sacrificed on it, etc. Also on the eighth day of the Installations which was the day the mishkon was erected. Moshe performed the service and offered the communal korbonos, except for those which Aharon was commanded on that very day, as it states: “[Moshe said to Aharon:] Approach the Altar, etc.”

A burnt-offering. [I.e.,] the daily burnt-offering.

And a meal-offering. [I.e.,] the mincha of the libations of the tamid. As it is said: “[And with one lamb bring] a tenth [of an eipha] of flour mixed with oil, etc.”

Moshe and Aharon ... washed ... from it. On the eighth day of the Installations all of them (Moshe, Aharon and his sons) were equal in the priesthood. Onkelos’ translation [of וְרָחֲצוּ] is: And they sanctified themselves from it. On that very day Moshe was sanctified with them.

And when they approached. וּבְקָרְבָתָם is the same as וּבְקָרְבָם — when they would approach.

Moshe was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting. Yet, another verse states: “And when Moshe would come into the Tent of Meeting” There comes a third verse [later in our verse] and reconciles them: “for the cloud was upon it (on the Tent of meetings)” Say, therefore: as long as the cloud was upon it he could not come in; once the cloud left he would enter and speak with Him.

Before the eyes of the entire Beis Yisrael in all their travels. At every station that they stopped the cloud would rest at the place where they encamped. Their encampment is also called מַסָּע Similarly: “He went to his (לְמַסָּעָיו) resting places.” Similarly: “These were (מַסְעֵי) the stations.” Because from the place of encampment they again journeyed, therefore, they are called מַסָּעוֹת .