Three weeks ago, when we read Parashat Terumah, we learned G-d's detailed instructions as to how to build the Tabernacle. This week, in Parashat VaYak'hel (Sh'mot 35,1-38,20), we read how these instructions were carried out, under the leadership of master builder Betzalel. What were Betzalel's qualifications for this important job? Moshe introduced him to the Children of Israel as follows:

"G-d has selected Betzalel ben Uri ben Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and has filled him with the spirit of G-d, with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, and [a talent for all types of] craftsmanship, able to think thoughts [or: devise plans], to work with gold, silver, and bronze..." (35,30-31)

What is meant by the phrase, "to think thoughts?"

The Gemara (Tr. Brachot 55a) tells us that Betzalel was given his name after he heard one thing and sough to do something else:

      When G-d said to Moshe, "Go say to Bezalel, 'Make a tabernacle, an ark, and vessels'” (31,7–11), Moshe reversed the order and told Betzalel, 'Make an ark and vessels, and a tabernacle” [see chapters 25-26].

     Betzalel said: "Moshe, our teacher, generally a person builds a house and only afterward places the vessels in the house – yet you say to me: Make an ark and vessels, and a tabernacle. If I do so, where will I put the vessels that I make? Could it be that G-d told you to make a tabernacle [first and then] an ark and vessels?”

     Moshe said [admiringly] to Betzalel: "Could it be that you were in G-d’s shadow [b'tzel E-l] when He spoke to me and that's how you knew precisely what He said?"

Betzalel's reasoning was logical and correct. And this raises an important question: If G-d told Moshe a particular order, why did he tell Betzalel a different one?

Baruch HaLevi Epstein, the early 20^th-century author of the "Torah Temimah," answers that G-d actually commanded Moshe twice – once according to this order, and once according to the other. Not knowing what to do, Moshe reasoned that since the purpose of the Mishkan was to house G-d's Divine Presence, and since the chief focus of the Divine Presence was over the Holy Ark, it is logical that the Holy Ark be built first. But Betzalel said that it would not be respectful to have the Ark wait outside while the Mishkan was being built.

In sum, Moshe thought that it would be more respectful to first build that which is the ultimate objective, namely, the Tabernacle. But Betzalel felt the opposite. [As we know, the respect that we show to various holy items has no effect on them, but only on us who observe the "respect" that is being accorded them.] He thought that if people see the holy items waiting outside, that itself would be a lack of respect.

Betzalel thought in terms of how people would view the situation. He took the practical approach: What would be the result of building the Ark first?

Perhaps this, then, is what the Torah means in saying that Betzalel was a man who "thought thoughts." He saw ahead and envisioned what people would think, what emotions they would feel, and how this might change the entire situation.

When Israel was commanded to prepare a Tabernacle for the Divine Presence, it was specifically Betzalel who was Divinely chosen to build it – because the ability to bring the Presence upon Israel includes not only knowing what to do, but what his acts will cause people to think and feel. Betzalel was a man with a heart that felt the hearts of the people around him.

Here are some examples to illustrate this trait.

It is told that a man came to ask his rabbi the following question: "Can I fulfill the mitzvah of the Four Cups on Passover night with milk instead of wine?" The rabbi pulled out a large sum of money and gave it to him, saying, "Go and buy yourself food for the Seder." His wife later asked, "Why did you give so much?" The rabbi answered, "His question made me realize that he wasn't planning to eat meat during the entire meal [for then he wouldn't be able to drink milk], which means that he doesn't have money even for meat and other holiday expenses…"

It is also told of one of the heads of the Mirrer Yeshiva that a man stopped him on the street to ask for directions. The rabbi walked with the man all the way to his destination. One of the students later asked him why he didn't just suffice with telling him how to get there. The rabbi said, "I saw that he had a speech impediment and that he hesitated before asking me. I didn't want him to have to ask someone else along his way, so I walked with him to where he wanted to go."

How to Overcome Strife?

A man once told me that he was very insulted that a neighbor of his had not invited him to his son's wedding. I said to him, "Let's try to think of it from his point of view. He has a large family, and he had to invite all of them, plus others in various circles, etc., etc." The man gradually calmed down and realized how hard it would have been for him to invite him.

In various arguments and disputes, if we stand back, we can easily identify the root cause: Each side thinks only of his own standpoint.

This week's Torah portion teaches us to be wise, like Betzalel. We must "think thoughts" regarding what's in the other guy's head. Doing this can help avoid many disputes. The next time we are inclined to get upset at or offended by someone – even by another driver on the road – let's stop for a second and try to think what the other guy is thinking. That's the key to truly bringing the Divine Presence to dwell in our midst.

Translated by Hillel Fendel

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