Vayakhel 5771

In this week's parsha, G-d appoints Betzalel to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and to craft the holy vessels and priestly garments. "He filled him with G-dly spirit, wisdom, insight and knowledge, and with the ability for all types of work: to do master weaving, to work with gold, silver and copper, with the craft of setting gems and with the craft of wood, to do all kinds of skilled work…and the ability to teach." G-d gives Betzlalel the skills necessary to carry out the mission entrusted to him. In addition to endowing him with specialized skills, G-d also grants Betzalel the ability to transmit these skills to others.

Wouldn't it have been enough for Torah to mention Betzalel's spiritual qualities – his wisdom, insight and knowledge? Why does Torah also enumerate Betzalel's talents with materials?

Reb Chaim Volozhin, a student of the Vilna Gaon, notes that Torah uses the phrase lachshov machshavot, which means "to weave designs." This phrase also carries another connotation: "to ascertain thoughts." While the phrase would seem to point to physical capabilities, it represents spiritual qualities as well. G-d gives Betzalel extraordinary knowledge and wisdom, to enable him to discern the intent behind all of the people's donations towards the building of the Mishkan. The gifts of those who give purely for the mitzvah, Betzalel earmarks for the most sanctified area; those given for the donor's honor, he relegates to a less holy area.

By ending the account of Betzalel's qualities with his ability to teach, Torah makes us aware that when we are given knowledge and skill, it is our duty to transmit this knowledge and these skills to others. The Hebrew word for "to teach" is l'horot. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for parents is horim, a word that shares its root with l'horot. We learn from this that parents are expected to be teachers. We are expected to teach from Torah, the book whose name also derives from l'horot and literally means "instruction." In one of the later Torah portions, we are commanded to "teach them [Torah precepts] diligently to your children."

The fulfillment of this commandment requires that we parents become well versed in the Torah teachings. Just as G-d fills Betzalel with wisdom, insight and knowledge, may He graciously endow us with these qualities so that we can understand Torah and transmit it to our children, as we are commanded.