THE TEXT
"Moses then called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skilled person whom Adonai had endowed with skill, everyone who excelled in ability, to undertake the task and carry it out." (Exodus 36:2)
EXPLANATION
The task referred to in this verse is the creation of the
k'lay kodesh, the holy utensils needed for the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary which accompanied the Jews in the wilderness. Several verses in this double portion refer to Bezalel the chief designer, his assistant Oholiab, and all the other skilled and talented Israelites who were to participate in creating these special items.
INTERPRETATION
Who was Bezalel and why was he chosen to create the Tabernacle?
According to the midrash, when Moses was on Mount Sinai, Adonai commanded him concerning the making of the lampstand for the Tabernacle. Moses was baffled as to how he was to make it. Adonai said: I will make a pattern of it in your presence. (Sefer Ha-Aggadah The Book of Legends) Moses was, similarly, shown the design for each of the items to be made for the Tabernacle.
Moses assumed then that he was to be the builder of the Tabernacle, but Adonai told Moses that he was mistaken, he was not to be the builder. Adonai explained that Moses was like a king, and it was not appropriate for a king to execute works in person, but rather the king is to give people directions for them to carry out. Moses then asked Adonai who should be selected to carry out this task. Adonai showed Moses the book of Adam. In that book Adonai had recorded all the generations from creation to the end of days. It included all the kings, leaders, and prophets which would arise in Israel. Adonai told Moses that when the book was created each person's calling was listed and Bezalel had been named for the task of building the Tabernacle. (The Legends of the Jews/Midrash Rabbah)
The midrash considers the construction of the Tabernacle as the atonement for the sins of the Israelites in making the Golden Calf. From Midrash Rabbah we learn the following: With fire Israel sinned in the making of the Golden Calf: "And I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf (Exodus 32:24). With fire atonement for the Golden Calf would be made: "It is I who created the smith-to fan the charcoal fire" (Isaiah 54:16). Bezalel would work as a smith, melting and forming the metals which would be made into the k'lay kodesh,
holy utensils for the Tabernacle. The midrash concludes by stating that Bezalel came and healed the wound created by the Israelites when they made the Golden Calf. Not only was Bezalel a talented artist but a healer as well.
In parashat Pekude, we learn that Bezalel had made everything that Adonai had commanded Moses, and that at his side was Oholiab, a carver, designer, and embroiderer (Exodus 38:22-23). Bezalel came from the tribe of Judah, the largest tribe among the Israelites, while his assistant Oholiab came from the tribe of Dan, the smallest tribe. Rabbi Hanina ben Pazzi said: No tribe was greater than the tribe of Judah, and none more lowly than the tribe of Dan. Hence the Holy One commanded: Let Dan come and be associated with Judah, that he be not despised and that the other not become arrogant toward him, for in the eyes of Adonai who is everywhere, the great and the small are alike. (Sefer Ha-aggadah The Book of Legends)
Ramban, in his commentary to the Torah, points out that while the description of the work of creating the Tabernacle is repeated five times, when it comes to directing the work of the artists Moses gives very brief instructions. Ramban explained that the artists understood everything they were supposed to do because of their own innate wisdom, understanding, and good sense.
MORE TABLE TALK
According to a midrash explained in the INTERPRETATION section, God distinguishes between the role of the king and the role of the artist. Describe the responsibilities of Moses and Bezalel in the building of the Tabernacle. Why did the creation of the Tabernacle require the input of both of these men?
God used the so-called Book of Adam to show Moses that Bezalel had been selected for the building of the Tabernacle. Why might it have been difficult for Moses to hear that Bezalel was selected for this job? Describe a time when you have wanted to do something but someone else, with different skills, was selected. What do you think is written after your name in the Book of Adam? What do you feel to be your calling in this world?
A midrash in the INTERPRETATION section describes Bezalel as a healer. Restate this midrash in your own words. Consider: How is Bezalel a healer, what needed healing, and how did he do the work of healing? An artist is not someone whom we tend to think of as a healing professional. Think of people in your life that have helped you when you have been emotionally or spiritually hurt. Include these individuals in the midrash. How could they have helped Bezalel heal the Israelites?
What values do you learn from the pairing of Bezalel from the tribe of Judah and Oholiab from the tribe of Dan? How and why are these values still important for us today? How do you try to incorporate these values into your own life and work?
Ramban said that the artists of the Tabernacle knew what to do because of their wisdom, understanding, and good sense. In other words, they had the right instincts. Describe a time when you have used your wisdom, understanding, and good sense, when you have known exactly what to do without specific instructions. It has been said that "The artist is not a special kind of person, but every person is a special kind of artist" (J.E.Park as found in The Torah: A Modern Commentary). What kind of artist are you?
WHY NOT TRY...making a Jewish ritual object with members of your family? Passover is coming and that holiday suggests many different ritual object needs, including matzah covers, kiddush cups, seder plates and pillows for reclining upon. Many different types of crafts are described in this double portion including: carving, sewing, embroidery, metal work, and knitting. Utilizing one of these crafts or another with which you are familiar, make a ritual object for Passover.
This week's Family Shabbat Table Talk was written by Barbara Binder Kadden, who loves to create in fabric, paint, embroidery, and quilting.
*Each year according to the Jewish calendar, the Torah is read in its entirety. Since in some years there are more Torah portions than Sabbaths, certain Torah portions are combined several times during the year in order to make sure that the entire Torah is completed. This Shabbat is one of those times that we read a double portion.
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