The Young Artisan: Bezalel, Builder of the Tabernacle

1. Our sages, of blessed memory, said about Bezalel: "Bezalel knew how to combine the letters with which heaven and earth were created." (Berakhot 55a)

2. The Talmud in Sanhedrin states that Bezalel worked on the Tabernacle when he was only thirteen years old. (Sanhedrin 69)

3. Bezalel's name consists of two words: "Be-tzel El," and the Midrash explains: "Bezalel was named for his wisdom. When Hashem told Moses to tell Bezalel to build the Tabernacle with the Ark and the vessels, Moses reversed the order, saying: Build the Ark and the vessels and then the Tabernacle. Bezalel responded, 'Moses, our teacher, it is the customary way of the world to first build a house, and then place the vessels inside. Perhaps you were in the shadow of Hashem and knew the proper order..."

4. Bezalel built the Tabernacle and its utensils with tremendous wisdom. The Midrash Rabbah provides the reason for his wisdom: "And from where did he obtain all this wisdom? Thanks to Miriam, as it is written: 'he made them houses' (Exodus 1), and what were the houses? The house of the priesthood and the house of royalty... And Miriam, having gained wisdom herself, brought forth Bezalel, and from him came David, who was king." (Shemot Rabbah 48:5)

5. The Torah frequently mentions Bezalel's name. The reason is given in Shemot Rabbah: "Bezalel devoted himself entirely; therefore, Hashem did not withhold his reward and publicized his name in connection with every matter." (Shemot Rabbah 50:5).

6. Further, the Midrash highlights Bezalel's greatness: "...and also Bezalel was praised before Hashem in the celestial realms and the earthly, as it is said (Exodus 31) 'Behold, I have called by name Bezalel,' and it is written (Exodus 35) 'See, Hashem has called by name Bezalel.' It was witnessed above, witnessed below, indicating that he found grace and good understanding in the eyes of Hashem and man."

7. The Midrash explains why Bezalel worked alongside Oholiab. Bezalel was from the tribe of Judah, the most exalted of the tribes, and Oholiab from the tribe of Dan, descendants of the maidservants. The Midrash states: "Hashem said, let him be paired with him, so that his spirit will not remain arrogant, for great and small are equal before Hashem."

8. Bezalel was the grandson of Hur. As known, Hur was killed by the Israelites when he refused to build the Golden Calf for them. Bezalel, by his importance, represented the reward Hashem gave to Hur. The Midrash notes: "At the time they wanted to make the calf, he stood against them and rebuked them, but they rose against him and killed him. Hashem said to him, 'Because you gave your life for me... so too Hur, who gave his life in the incident of the calf, Hashem said to him, because of this, all your descendants will be uplifted in the world..."