Both the Korban Olah and Chatas need shechita on the northern side of the alter. Regarding the Olah, the Torah says so explicitly. Regarding the Chatas, the Torah in this week’s parsha (6:18) tells us that Chatas needs shechita in the same place as the Olah: בִּמְקוֹם אֲשֶׁר תִּשָּׁחֵט הָּׁעֹלָּׁה תִּשָּׁחֵט הַחַטָּׁאת.
Why did Hashem chose to teach this halacha in such particular way (instead of saying simply that Chatas should be slaughtered on the north side of the alter)?
Rabbeinu Bachaye answers in the following way: Korban Olah is an atonement for bad thoughts. Bad thoughts are not embarrassing because we haven't carried out our plans. Everyone is guilty of having bad thoughts and our job is to not follow them. Korban Chatas on the other hand, is brought for bad deeds. In order to spare the person who sinned from embarrassment, the Torah makes him do his shechita in the same place as the person who brings an Olah, so that no one will know if he is really guilty of sin or not.
The Torah is thus teaching us through this to be sensitive toward others and not to shame them in front of other people. This lesson is important for our conduct in public and also in our homes.
