Two Minute Torah Podcast

Ki Tissa 5771 by Jeremy Fine

Shalom, my name is Jeremy Fine, a Rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary and the rabbi of Congregation Sons of Israel in Amsterdam New York. Welcome to KOACH's Two-Minute Torah;a project of the College Department of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 

This week we read parashat Ki Tissa. Many people want to focus on the Golden Calf, which is the negative of this parsha. I would like to go in a different direction and look at the biblical character Bezalel. We meet Bezalel in Shemot 31.

1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 'See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;

And the parsha continues.3 and I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to devise skilful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship.

The commentators have many different insights into Bezalel as a person. Rashi tells us that Bezalel is special simply because he is chosen by God to do God's work. Ibn Ezra discusses how Bezalel is full of God's spirit of Chokmah (Wisdom), Tevunah (Understanding), and binah (Reason). Ibn Ezra says Bezalel has a wealth of knowledge including mathematics, biology, and the secret of the human soul.

Even more commentators speak to the uniqueness of Bezalel. He was clearly a man in God's favor. So the question I propose is, if Bezalel is so great and in God's favor, then why is there so little written about him? And if Bezalel is so special, then why is he not in the same breath as our greatest biblical characters like Abraham, Rebecca, or Moses?

I think that it's important to understand from this story that not all great men and women are famous. Plenty of people who help change this world go without the spotlight and fame. It is often those who make a real difference in world that are forgotten. But just because one's name isn't in bright lights does not mean that that person is not important. For all of us, it is important, regardless of name and glory to look to Bezalel's story as an example. May our actions be for good not for glory. May our deeds for righteousness not for fame. May everything we do in this life be for the betterment of the Jewish people and a testament to the importance of God.