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Why does the Mizbeach HaKetores appear in Parshas Tetzaveh rather than in Parshas Terumah with the other Mishkan vessels? The Rambam (רמב"ם) explains that the incense removed the odor from both the Mishkan slaughterhouse and the Kohanim's clothing. Its placement after Bigdei Kehunah teaches that bad odor would diminish the kavod and majesty required for the Avodah.
The shiur addresses a question raised by Rishonim, including the Ramban (רמב"ן), concerning why the Mizbeach HaKetores (incense altar) is mentioned in Parshas Tetzaveh rather than in Parshas Terumah where all the other vessels of the Mishkan appear. The Ramban notes at length that the Torah (תורה)'s arrangement seems out of place—the Mizbeach HaKetores logically should appear after the Menorah, Shulchan, and Aron in the previous parsha. Rabbi Zweig presents the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s approach from the Moreh Nevuchim to understand both the function of the Mizbeach HaKetores and the reason for its placement in the Torah. The Rambam explains that the Mishkan (and later the Beis Hamikdash) functioned as a slaughterhouse, with the horrendous smell that accompanies animal slaughter. Anyone who has been in a slaughterhouse knows the odious smell is overwhelming. The Ketores served to remove this smell from the Mishkan itself.
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Parshas Tetzaveh (Mizbeach HaKetores placement)
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