“Betzalel crafted the Ark of acacia wood: its length was two and a half cubits, its width a cubit and a half, and its height a cubit and a half” (Exodus 37:1). “Betzalel crafted the Ark.” That is what is written: “Your opening words enlighten; they bring understanding to the simple” (Psalms 119:130). When the Holy One blessed be He created His world it was entirely water, as it is stated: “And darkness on the surface of the deep…[and God said: Let there be light]” (Genesis 1:2). Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Neḥemya, Rabbi Yehuda said: Light was created first and then the world. This is analogous to a king who sought to build a palace, but the site was dark. What did he do? He kindled lamps and torches to determine where to position the rows of building stones. So too, the light was created first. Rabbi Neḥemya said: The world was created first. This is analogous to a king who built a palace and adorned it with lamps. Rabbi Shimon ben Yehotzadak asked Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman, he said to him: ‘Because I have heard about you, that you are an aggadic master, from where was the light created?’ He said: ‘The Holy One blessed be He wrapped Himself in a garment and illuminated the entire world from His aura from its beginning to its end, as it is written: “Covers Himself with light like a garment” (Psalms 104:2), and then “spread the heavens like a tapestry” (Psalms 104:2). Therefore, “Your opening words enlighten.”’ From Him the righteous learned that when they would begin a matter, they would begin with light. You find that when the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses that he should craft the Tabernacle, Betzalel said: ‘With what shall I begin?’ He began with the Ark, as it is stated: “They shall craft an Ark” (Exodus 25:10).1The Ark housed the Tablets and a Torah, and Torah is compared to light (see Proverbs 6:23).
That is what is written: “Give to the wise person, and he will grow wiser” (Proverbs 9:9), this is Noah, as the Holy One blessed be He said to him: “From every pure animal, take for yourself seven of each, [a male and his mate; and of the animals that are not pure, two, a male and his mate]” (Genesis 7:2). When he emerged, what is written? “He built an altar to the Lord” (Genesis 8:20). What is “he built [vayiven]”? He scrutinized [hitbonen] and said: ‘For what reason did the Holy One blessed be He increase the number of the pure relative to the impure? Is it not that He wished that I sacrifice to Him from them?’ Immediately, “he took from each species of pure animal [and offered burnt-offerings on the altar]” (Genesis 8:20). That is, “give to the wise person, and he will grow wiser,” because the wise man hears something, fulfills it, and adds to it. Another matter, “give to the wise person, and he will grow wiser,” this is Moses, as it is stated: “The wise goes up to the city of the mighty” (Proverbs 21:22), as he would study Torah from the mouth of the Almighty, and he would come and tell it to Israel and benefit them, and he would give them more life. That is, “give to the wise person, and he will grow wiser.” Another matter, “give to the wise person,” this is Betzalel. You find that when the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘Craft the Tabernacle,’ he came and related it to Betzalel. [Betzalel] said to him: ‘What is [the purpose of] this Tabernacle?’ He said to him: ‘It is so the Holy One blessed be He will rest His Divine Presence in it and will teach Israel Torah.’ Betzalel said to him: ‘Where will the Torah be placed?’ He said to him: ‘After we craft the Tabernacle, we will craft the Ark.’ He said to him: ‘Our master, Moses. It is not in keeping with the honor due the Torah to do so; rather, we will craft the Ark and the Tabernacle thereafter.’ That is why it was called by his name: “Betzalel crafted the Ark.”
Another matter, “Betzalel crafted” – that is what is written: “I will bring a remedy for you” (Jeremiah 30:17). The attributes of the Holy One blessed be He are not like the attributes of flesh and blood. The attribute of flesh and blood is to wound with a chisel and heal with a bandage. But the Holy One blessed be He heals with that with which He wounds, as it is stated: “They arrived in Mara and were unable to drink water from Mara” (Exodus 15:23). Why? “Because it was bitter [marim]” (Exodus 15:23). Rabbi Levi said: That generation was bitter in its actions. “He cried out to the Lord and the Lord showed him a tree” (Exodus 15:25). What was it? Some say it was an olive tree, some say it was a willow, some say it was oleander, and some say it was the roots of fig trees and the roots of pomegranate trees.2All of these materials are bitter. He took it and cast it into the water. Immediately, the water sweetened. That is, “and from your wounds I will heal you” (Jeremiah 30:17). Likewise you find with the water of Elisha, what is written? “The water is bad and the land causes bereavement” (II Kings 2:19). He said to them: “Bring me a new flask and place salt in it, and they brought it to him” (II Kings 2:20). What is written? “The water was cured to this day, in accordance with the word of Elisha that he spoke” (II Kings 2:22). Likewise you find regarding Israel; he rebuked them with [the word] ‘therefore,’ as it is stated: “Therefore, prostitute, hear the word of the Lord” (Ezekiel 16:35), and with [the word] ‘therefore’ He is destined to restore them. as it is stated: “Therefore, behold, I will seduce her” (Hosea 2:16), and one seduces only a virgin. As it is stated: “If a man seduces a virgin” (Exodus 22:15).3Thus, although Israel is compared to a prostitute by Ezekiel, eventually they are compared to a virgin, who has not experienced sin. So, too, Israel sinned in Shittim. As it is stated: “Israel were residing in Shittim [and the people began to engage in licentiousness]” (Numbers 25:1), and they were healed with shittim, as it is stated: “Betzalel crafted the Ark of acacia wood [atzei shittim].”
What is written previously? “He crafted the curtain of sky blue, purple [and scarlet wool]” (Exodus 36:35). Our Rabbis taught that the thickness of the curtain was one handbreadth, and it was woven on seventy-two heddles and had no knots. They would craft two each and every year, and three hundred priests would immerse it. The priests would descend and immerse it outside,4In a ritual bath on the Temple Mount outside the Temple courtyard. and they would ascend and spread it atop the rampart. You find that the entire Tabernacle was crafted in order. Initially, he crafted the beams and connected them; then, the tapestries and he spread them upon it, as it is stated: “He crafted tapestries of goats’ hair as a tent over the Tabernacle” (Exodus 36:14). Then he crafted the curtain that would be spread before the Ark. Then he crafted the Ark and the Ark cover that would be placed upon the Ark. Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Yosei said: ‘I saw the curtain in Rome and there were several drops of blood on it. I asked and they said to me that it was from the blood of the Yom Kippur service that the priest would perform.’ Why is it called kaporet? It is because it would atone [mekhaper] for Israel. After he crafted the Ark cover, he crafted the table upon which the showbread was placed, which was positioned before the Ark. Then he crafted the candelabrum that was positioned above the table.
Another matter, “Betzalel crafted” – did Betzalel craft it all himself, that regarding each and every item it says: “Betzalel crafted”? Rather, because he was exceedingly devoted to it, the Holy One blessed be He did not withhold his reward and the verse mentions him regarding each and every item. On a similar note, you say: “Only Yonatan son of Asael, and Yahzeya son of Tikva, insisted on this, and Meshulam and Shabetai the Levite assisted them” (Ezra 10:15). Yonatan was exceedingly devoted to this matter, and because they came and assisted him, the Holy One blessed be He ascribed to them as though they performed the act. But because Yonatan devoted himself to the matter, the verse mentioned him.5The verse mentioned him and Yahzeya as the primary doers because they were especially devoted to the task. The Holy One blessed be He said to them: ‘You crafted tapestries of goats’ hair, I will protect you in the World to Come with a cloud,’6Because you crafted tapestries of goat hair, which were placed atop the Tabernacle and protected the more delicate coverings underneath it, I will protect you with a cloud in the World to Come. as it is stated: “The Lord will create a cloud by day” (Isaiah 4:5). ‘You crafted an Ark cover [kaporet], I will grant atonement [mekhaper] for your iniquities. You crafted a table,7There was an arrangement of showbread on the table. I will save you from the arrangement,8This is a reference to future punishment of the wicked, as in the verse: “For an inferno is arranged from yesterday” (Isaiah 30:33). and I will set a table before you in the future. You crafted a candelabrum before Me, I will illuminate for you sevenfold in the World to Come,’ as it is stated: “The light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold” (Isaiah 30:26). ‘You crafted an Ark before Me in which the Torah is placed. I will give you endless reward,’ as it is stated: “How great is the goodness You have stored for those who fear You” (Psalms 31:20).
וַיַּעַשׂ בְּצַלְאֵל אֶת הָאָרֹן (שמות לז, א), הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (תהלים קיט, קל): פֵּתַח דְּבָרֶיךָ יָאִיר מֵבִין פְּתָיִים, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁבָּרָא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עוֹלָמוֹ הָיָה כֻּלּוֹ מַיִם בְּמַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית א, ב): וְחשֶׁךְ עַל פְּנֵי תְהוֹם, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה וְרַבִּי נְחֶמְיָה, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אָמַר הָאוֹר בָּרָא תְּחִלָּה וְאַחַר כָּךְ הָעוֹלָם, מָשָׁל לְמֶלֶךְ שֶׁבִּקֵּשׁ לִבְנוֹת פָּלָטִין וְהָיָה הַמָּקוֹם אָפֵל מֶה עָשָׂה הִדְלִיק נֵרוֹת וּפַנָּסִין לֵידַע הֵיאַךְ הוּא קוֹבֵעַ דִּימוּסִים, כָּךְ הָאוֹר נִבְרֵאת תְּחִלָּה. וְרַבִּי נְחֶמְיָה אָמַר הָעוֹלָם נִבְרָא תְּחִלָּה, מָשָׁל לְמֶלֶךְ שֶׁבָּנָה פַּלְטֵרִין וְעִטְּרוֹ בְּנֵרוֹת. שָׁאַל רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יְהוֹצָדָק אֶת רַבִּי שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָן, אָמַר לוֹ בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁשָּׁמַעְתִּי עָלֶיךָ שֶׁאַתָּה בַּעַל הַגָּדָה מֵהֵיכָן נִבְרֵאת הָאוֹרָה, אָמַר נִתְעַטֵּף הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בְּשַׂלְמָה וְהִבְהִיק הָעוֹלָם מִזִּיווֹ מֵרֹאשׁוֹ וְעַד סוֹפוֹ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב (תהלים קד, ב): עֹטֶה אוֹר כַּשַֹּׂלְמָה, וְאַחַר כָּךְ: נוֹטֶה שָׁמַיִם כַּיְרִיעָה, לְפִיכָךְ פֵּתַח דְּבָרֶיךָ יָאִיר, מִמֶּנּוּ לָמְדוּ הַצַּדִּיקִים כְּשֶׁהָיוּ מַתְחִילִין בְּדָבָר הָיוּ פּוֹתְחִין בְּאוֹרָה, אַתָּה מוֹצֵא בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמשֶׁה שֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂה אֶת הַמִּשְׁכָּן אָמַר בְּצַלְאֵל וּבַמֶּה אֶפְתַּח תְּחִלָּה, פָּתַח בָּאָרוֹן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות כה, י): וְעָשׂוּ אֲרוֹן.
“Betzalel crafted the Ark of acacia wood: its length was two and a half cubits, its width a cubit and a half, and its height a cubit and a half” (Exodus 37:1).
“Betzalel crafted the Ark.” That is what is written: “Your opening words enlighten; they bring understanding to the simple” (Psalms 119:130). When the Holy One blessed be He created His world it was entirely water, as it is stated: “And darkness on the surface of the deep…[and God said: Let there be light]” (Genesis 1:2). Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Neḥemya, Rabbi Yehuda said: Light was created first and then the world. This is analogous to a king who sought to build a palace, but the site was dark. What did he do? He kindled lamps and torches to determine where to position the rows of building stones. So too, the light was created first. Rabbi Neḥemya said: The world was created first. This is analogous to a king who built a palace and adorned it with lamps.
Rabbi Shimon ben Yehotzadak asked Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman, he said to him: ‘Because I have heard about you, that you are an aggadic master, from where was the light created?’ He said: ‘The Holy One blessed be He wrapped Himself in a garment and illuminated the entire world from His aura from its beginning to its end, as it is written: “Covers Himself with light like a garment” (Psalms 104:2), and then “spread the heavens like a tapestry” (Psalms 104:2). Therefore, “Your opening words enlighten.”’ From Him the righteous learned that when they would begin a matter, they would begin with light. You find that when the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses that he should craft the Tabernacle, Betzalel said: ‘With what shall I begin?’ He began with the Ark, as it is stated: “They shall craft an Ark” (Exodus 25:10).1The Ark housed the Tablets and a Torah, and Torah is compared to light (see Proverbs 6:23).
הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (משלי ט, ט): תֵּן לְחָכָם וְיֶחְכַּם עוֹד, זֶה נֹחַ, שֶׁאָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא (בראשית ז, ב): מִכֹּל הַבְּהֵמָה הַטְּהוֹרָה תִּקַּח לְךָ שִׁבְעָה שִׁבְעָה וגו', וּכְשֶׁיָּצָא מַה כְּתִיב (בראשית ח, כ): וַיִּבֶן נֹחַ מִזְבֵּחַ לַה', מַאי וַיִּבֶן, נִתְבּוֹנֵן וְאָמַר, מַה טַּעַם רִבָּה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בַּטְּהוֹרִים יוֹתֵר מִן הַטְּמֵאִים לֹא שֶׁהָיָה רוֹצֶה לְהַקְרִיב לוֹ מֵהֶן, מִיָּד, וַיִּקַּח מִכֹּל הַבְּהֵמָה הַטְּהֹרָה, הֱוֵי: תֵּן לְחָכָם וְיֶחְכַּם עוֹד, לְפִי שֶׁהֶחָכָם שׁוֹמֵעַ דָּבָר וּמְקַיְּמוֹ וּמוֹסִיף עָלָיו. דָּבָר אַחֵר, תֵּן לְחָכָם וְיֶחְכַּם עוֹד, זֶה משֶׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי כא, כב): עִיר גִּבֹּרִים עָלָה חָכָם, שֶׁהָיָה לָמֵד תּוֹרָה מִפִּי הַגְּבוּרָה וּבָא וְאָמַר לְיִשְׂרָאֵל וּמֵטִיבָן, וְהוּא מוֹסִיף לָהֶם חַיִים, הֱוֵי: תֵּן לְחָכָם וְיֶחְכַּם עוֹד. דָּבָר אַחֵר, תֵּן לְחָכָם, זֶה בְּצַלְאֵל, אַתָּה מוֹצֵא בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמשֶׁה עֲשֵׂה הַמִּשְׁכָּן, בָּא וְאָמַר לִבְצַלְאֵל, אָמַר לוֹ מַהוּ הַמִּשְׁכָּן הַזֶּה, אָמַר לוֹ שֶׁיַּשְׁרֶה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שְׁכִינָתוֹ בְּתוֹכוֹ וּמְלַמֵּד לְיִשְׂרָאֵל תּוֹרָה. אָמַר לוֹ בְּצַלְאֵל וְהֵיכָן הַתּוֹרָה נְתוּנָה, אָמַר לוֹ מִשֶּׁאָנוּ עוֹשִׂים אֶת הַמִּשְׁכָּן אָנוּ עוֹשִׂין הָאָרוֹן. אָמַר לוֹ רַבֵּינוּ משֶׁה אֵין כְּבוֹדָהּ שֶׁל תּוֹרָה בְּכָךְ, אֶלָּא אָנוּ עוֹשִׂין הָאָרוֹן וְאַחַר כָּךְ הַמִּשְׁכָּן, לְפִיכָךְ זָכָה שֶׁיִּקָּרֵא עַל שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וַיַּעַשׂ בְּצַלְאֵל אֶת הָאָרֹן.
That is what is written: “Give to the wise person, and he will grow wiser” (Proverbs 9:9), this is Noah, as the Holy One blessed be He said to him: “From every pure animal, take for yourself seven of each, [a male and his mate; and of the animals that are not pure, two, a male and his mate]” (Genesis 7:2). When he emerged, what is written? “He built an altar to the Lord” (Genesis 8:20). What is “he built [vayiven]”? He scrutinized [hitbonen] and said: ‘For what reason did the Holy One blessed be He increase the number of the pure relative to the impure? Is it not that He wished that I sacrifice to Him from them?’ Immediately, “he took from each species of pure animal [and offered burnt-offerings on the altar]” (Genesis 8:20). That is, “give to the wise person, and he will grow wiser,” because the wise man hears something, fulfills it, and adds to it.
Another matter, “give to the wise person, and he will grow wiser,” this is Moses, as it is stated: “The wise goes up to the city of the mighty” (Proverbs 21:22), as he would study Torah from the mouth of the Almighty, and he would come and tell it to Israel and benefit them, and he would give them more life. That is, “give to the wise person, and he will grow wiser.”
Another matter, “give to the wise person,” this is Betzalel. You find that when the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘Craft the Tabernacle,’ he came and related it to Betzalel. [Betzalel] said to him: ‘What is [the purpose of] this Tabernacle?’ He said to him: ‘It is so the Holy One blessed be He will rest His Divine Presence in it and will teach Israel Torah.’ Betzalel said to him: ‘Where will the Torah be placed?’ He said to him: ‘After we craft the Tabernacle, we will craft the Ark.’ He said to him: ‘Our master, Moses. It is not in keeping with the honor due the Torah to do so; rather, we will craft the Ark and the Tabernacle thereafter.’ That is why it was called by his name: “Betzalel crafted the Ark.”
דָּבָר אַחֵר, וַיַּעַשׂ בְּצַלְאֵל, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (ירמיה ל, יז): כִּי אַעֲלֶה אֲרֻכָה לָךְ, אֵין מִדּוֹתָיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כְּמִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם, מִדַּת בָּשָׂר וָדָם שֶׁהוּא מַכֶּה בְּאִזְמֵל וּמְרַפֵּא בִּרְטִיָּה, אֲבָל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בַּמֶּה שֶׁהוּא מַכֶּה הוּא מְרַפֵּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות טו, כג): וַיָּבֹאוּ מָרָתָה וְלֹא יָכְלוּ לִשְׁתֹּת מַיִם מִמָּרָה, לָמָּה, כִּי מָרִים הֵם, אָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי הַדּוֹר הָיָה מַר בְּמַעֲשָׂיו, (שמות טו, כה): וַיִּצְעַק אֶל ה' וַיּוֹרֵהוּ ה' עֵץ, וּמָה הָיָה, יֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים זַיִת, וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים עֲרָבָה, וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים הַרְדּוּפְנִי הָיָה, וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים עִקְּרֵי תְאֵנִים וְעִקְּרֵי רִמּוֹנִים הָיָה, וּנְטָלוֹ וְהִשְׁלִיכוֹ לַמַּיִם, מִיָּד, וַיִּמְתְּקוּ הַמָּיִם, הֱוֵי (ירמיה ל, יז): וּמִמַּכּוֹתַיִךְ אֶרְפָּאֵךְ. וְכֵן אַתָּה מוֹצֵא בְּמֵימֵי אֱלִישָׁע, מַה כְּתִיב (מלכים ב ב, יט): וְהַמַּיִם רָעִים וְהָאָרֶץ מְשַׁכָּלֶת, אָמַר לָהֶם (מלכים ב ב, כ): קְחוּ לִי צְלֹחִית חֲדָשָׁה וְשִׂימוּ שָׁם מֶלַח וַיִּקְחוּ אֵלָיו, וּמַה כְּתִיב (מלכים ב ב, כב): וַיֵּרָפוּ הַמַּיִם עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה כִּדְבַר אֱלִישָׁע אֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּר. וְכֵן אַתָּה מוֹצֵא בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּלָכֵן הוֹכִיחָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (יחזקאל טז, לה): לָכֵן זוֹנָה שִׁמְעִי דְּבַר ה'. וּבְלָכֵן עָתִיד לְהַחֲזִירָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (הושע ב, טז): לָכֵן הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי מְפַתֶּיהָ, וְאֵין מְפַתִּין אֶלָּא לִבְתוּלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות כב, טו): כִּי יְפַתֶּה אִישׁ בְּתוּלָה. אַף כָּךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל חָטְאוּ בַּשִּׁטִּים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר כה, א): וַיֵּשֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּשִּׁטִּים, וְנִרְפְּאוּ בַּשִּׁטִּים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וַיַּעַשׂ בְּצַלְאֵל אֶת הָאָרֹן עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים.
Another matter, “Betzalel crafted” – that is what is written: “I will bring a remedy for you” (Jeremiah 30:17). The attributes of the Holy One blessed be He are not like the attributes of flesh and blood. The attribute of flesh and blood is to wound with a chisel and heal with a bandage. But the Holy One blessed be He heals with that with which He wounds, as it is stated: “They arrived in Mara and were unable to drink water from Mara” (Exodus 15:23). Why? “Because it was bitter [marim]” (Exodus 15:23). Rabbi Levi said: That generation was bitter in its actions. “He cried out to the Lord and the Lord showed him a tree” (Exodus 15:25). What was it? Some say it was an olive tree, some say it was a willow, some say it was oleander, and some say it was the roots of fig trees and the roots of pomegranate trees.2All of these materials are bitter. He took it and cast it into the water. Immediately, the water sweetened. That is, “and from your wounds I will heal you” (Jeremiah 30:17).
Likewise you find with the water of Elisha, what is written? “The water is bad and the land causes bereavement” (II Kings 2:19). He said to them: “Bring me a new flask and place salt in it, and they brought it to him” (II Kings 2:20). What is written? “The water was cured to this day, in accordance with the word of Elisha that he spoke” (II Kings 2:22).
Likewise you find regarding Israel; he rebuked them with [the word] ‘therefore,’ as it is stated: “Therefore, prostitute, hear the word of the Lord” (Ezekiel 16:35), and with [the word] ‘therefore’ He is destined to restore them. as it is stated: “Therefore, behold, I will seduce her” (Hosea 2:16), and one seduces only a virgin. As it is stated: “If a man seduces a virgin” (Exodus 22:15).3Thus, although Israel is compared to a prostitute by Ezekiel, eventually they are compared to a virgin, who has not experienced sin. So, too, Israel sinned in Shittim. As it is stated: “Israel were residing in Shittim [and the people began to engage in licentiousness]” (Numbers 25:1), and they were healed with shittim, as it is stated: “Betzalel crafted the Ark of acacia wood [atzei shittim].”
מַה כְּתִיב לְמַעְלָה (שמות לו, ה): וַיַּעַשׂ אֶת הַפָּרֹכֶת תְּכֵלֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן, וְשָׁנוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ פָּרֹכֶת הָיָה עָבְיוֹ טֶפַח, וְעַל שִׁבְעִים וּשְׁנַיִם נִירִים נֶאֱרֶגֶת, וְלֹא הָיָה בָהּ קֶשֶׁר, וּשְׁתַּיִם עוֹשִׂים בְּכָל שָׁנָה וְשָׁנָה, וּשְׁלשׁ מֵאוֹת כֹּהֲנִים מַטְבִּילִין אוֹתָהּ, וְהַכֹּהֲנִים יוֹרְדִין וּמַטְבִּילִין אוֹתָהּ בַּחוּץ, וְעוֹלִין וְשׁוֹטְחִין אוֹתָהּ עַל גַּבֵּי הַחֵיל. וְאַתָּה מוֹצֵא כָּל הַמִּשְׁכָּן עַל הַסֵּדֶר נַעֲשָׂה, בַּתְּחִלָּה עָשָׂה אֶת הַקְּרָשִׁים וְחִבְּרָם, וְאַחַר כָּךְ הַיְרִיעוֹת וּפְרָסָן עָלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות לו, יד): וַיַּעַשׂ יְרִיעֹת עִזִּים לְאֹהֶל עַל הַמִּשְׁכָּן, וְאַחַר כָּךְ עָשָׂה אֶת הַפָּרֹכֶת, שֶׁתְּהֵא נִמְתַּח בִּפְנֵי הָאָרוֹן, וְאַחַר כָּךְ עָשָׂה אֶת הָאָרוֹן וְאֶת הַכַּפֹּרֶת שֶׁיְהֵא נִתַּן עַל הָאָרוֹן. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אֲנִי רָאִיתִי אֶת הַפָּרֹכֶת בְּרוֹמִי וְהָיוּ עָלֶיהָ כַּמָּה טִיפֵּי דָמִים, וְשָׁאַלְתִּי וְאָמְרוּ לִי מִדַּם יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים שֶׁהָיָה כֹּהֵן עוֹשֶׂה. וְלָמָּה נִקְרָא כַּפֹּרֶת, שֶׁהָיָה מְכַפֵּר לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. וּמִשֶּׁעָשָׂה הַכַּפֹּרֶת עָשָׂה הַשֻּׁלְחָן שֶׁהָיָה לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים נִתַּן עָלָיו, שֶׁהָיָה נִתַּן לִפְנֵי הָאָרוֹן, וְאַחַר כָּךְ עָשָׂה אֶת הַמְנוֹרָה שֶׁהָיְתָה לְמַעְלָה מִן הַשֻּׁלְחָן.
What is written previously? “He crafted the curtain of sky blue, purple [and scarlet wool]” (Exodus 36:35). Our Rabbis taught that the thickness of the curtain was one handbreadth, and it was woven on seventy-two heddles and had no knots. They would craft two each and every year, and three hundred priests would immerse it. The priests would descend and immerse it outside,4In a ritual bath on the Temple Mount outside the Temple courtyard. and they would ascend and spread it atop the rampart.
You find that the entire Tabernacle was crafted in order. Initially, he crafted the beams and connected them; then, the tapestries and he spread them upon it, as it is stated: “He crafted tapestries of goats’ hair as a tent over the Tabernacle” (Exodus 36:14). Then he crafted the curtain that would be spread before the Ark. Then he crafted the Ark and the Ark cover that would be placed upon the Ark. Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Yosei said: ‘I saw the curtain in Rome and there were several drops of blood on it. I asked and they said to me that it was from the blood of the Yom Kippur service that the priest would perform.’ Why is it called kaporet? It is because it would atone [mekhaper] for Israel. After he crafted the Ark cover, he crafted the table upon which the showbread was placed, which was positioned before the Ark. Then he crafted the candelabrum that was positioned above the table.
דָּבָר אַחֵר, וַיַּעַשׂ בְּצַלְאֵל, וְכִי בְּצַלְאֵל עָשָׂה לְעַצְמוֹ, שֶׁבְּכָל דָּבָר וְדָבָר הוּא אוֹמֵר: וַיַּעַשׂ בְּצַלְאֵל, אֶלָּא עַל שֶׁנָּתַן נַפְשׁוֹ עָלָיו בְּיוֹתֵר, לֹא קִפַּח הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שְׂכָרוֹ וּפִרְסְמוֹ הַכָּתוּב עַל כָּל דָּבָר וְדָבָר. כַּיּוֹצֵא בַּדָּבָר אַתָּה אוֹמֵר (עזרא י, טו): אַךְ יוֹנָתָן בֶּן עֲשָׂהאֵל וְיַחְזְיָה בֶן תִּקְוָה עָמְדוּ עַל זֹאת וּמְשֻׁלָּם וְשַׁבְּתַי הַלֵּוִי עֲזָרֻם. אֶלָא יוֹנָתָן נָתַן נַפְשׁוֹ עַל הַדָּבָר הַרְבֵּה, וּלְפִי שֶׁבָּאוּ וְסִיְעוּהוּ, הֶעֱלָה עֲלֵיהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא כְּאִלּוּ עָשׂוּ הֵם הַמַּעֲשֶׂה. אֲבָל יוֹנָתָן עַל יְדֵי שֶׁנָּתַן נַפְשׁוֹ בַּדָּבָר פִּרְסְמוֹ הַכָּתוּב. אָמַר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עֲשִׂיתֶם יְרִיעוֹת עִזִּים אֲנִי מֵגֵן עֲלֵיכֶם לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא בְּעָנָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה ד, ה): וּבָרָא ה' עַל כָּל מְכוֹן הַר צִיּוֹן וְעַל מִקְרָאֶהָ עָנָן יוֹמָם. עֲשִׂיתֶם כַּפֹּרֶת, אֲנִי מְכַפֵּר לָכֶם עֲוֹנוֹתֵיכֶם. עֲשִׂיתֶם שֻׁלְחָן, אֲנִי מַצִּיל אֶתְכֶם מִן הָעֲרוּכָה, וְאֶעֱרֹךְ לִפְנֵיכֶם שֻׁלְחָן לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא. עֲשִׂיתֶם לְפָנַי מְנוֹרָה, אֲנִי מֵאִיר לָכֶם שִׁבְעָתַיִם לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה ל, כו): וְהָיָה אוֹר הַלְּבָנָה כְּאוֹר הַחַמָּה וְאוֹר הַחַמָּה יִהְיֶה שִׁבְעָתַיִם. עֲשִׂיתֶם לְפָנַי אָרוֹן שֶׁהַתּוֹרָה נִתֶּנֶת בְּתוֹכוֹ, אֶתֵּן לָכֶם שָׂכָר טוֹב שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ הֶפְסֵק, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים לא, כ): מָה רַב טוּבְךָ אֲשֶׁר צָפַנְתָּ לִירֵאֶיךָ.
Another matter, “Betzalel crafted” – did Betzalel craft it all himself, that regarding each and every item it says: “Betzalel crafted”? Rather, because he was exceedingly devoted to it, the Holy One blessed be He did not withhold his reward and the verse mentions him regarding each and every item.
On a similar note, you say: “Only Yonatan son of Asael, and Yahzeya son of Tikva, insisted on this, and Meshulam and Shabetai the Levite assisted them” (Ezra 10:15). Yonatan was exceedingly devoted to this matter, and because they came and assisted him, the Holy One blessed be He ascribed to them as though they performed the act. But because Yonatan devoted himself to the matter, the verse mentioned him.5The verse mentioned him and Yahzeya as the primary doers because they were especially devoted to the task.
The Holy One blessed be He said to them: ‘You crafted tapestries of goats’ hair, I will protect you in the World to Come with a cloud,’6Because you crafted tapestries of goat hair, which were placed atop the Tabernacle and protected the more delicate coverings underneath it, I will protect you with a cloud in the World to Come. as it is stated: “The Lord will create a cloud by day” (Isaiah 4:5). ‘You crafted an Ark cover [kaporet], I will grant atonement [mekhaper] for your iniquities. You crafted a table,7There was an arrangement of showbread on the table. I will save you from the arrangement,8This is a reference to future punishment of the wicked, as in the verse: “For an inferno is arranged from yesterday” (Isaiah 30:33). and I will set a table before you in the future. You crafted a candelabrum before Me, I will illuminate for you sevenfold in the World to Come,’ as it is stated: “The light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold” (Isaiah 30:26). ‘You crafted an Ark before Me in which the Torah is placed. I will give you endless reward,’ as it is stated: “How great is the goodness You have stored for those who fear You” (Psalms 31:20).