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Vayakhel 5763

"And Betzalel made the Ark”

There are notably few Rashi's on the construction of the Mishkon in Parshas Vayakhel. On this posuk, however, Rashi tells us that Betzalel was credited with building the Aron because he gave his soul over to the project more than all the other wise artisans.

The Sifsei Chachomim says that although Betzalel directed Ahaliav and the other artisans in building the other vessels of the Mishkon, he built the Aron himself because of its superior holiness.

According to the Sifsei Chachomim, that Betzalel wanted to do it himself because of its kedusha, how can Rashi say that Betzalel gave of himself more than the other artisans? Perhaps if he had directed them to do it they would have exhibited the same self-sacrifice in its construction.

The answer is that Betzalel was able to see that none of the artisans cared as deeply or understood the significance of the Aron as much as he. We know he was able to perceive the intentions of the donors and allocate the gold, silver and copper accordingly. By this same means of looking into people's hearts, he knew that he had to make the Aron himself.

It was precisely his ability to sacrifice himself for the Aron and Torah more than anyone else, as Rashi explains, that required him to be personally involved in its creation as the Sifsei Chachomim recounts.

The lesson for us is that Torah is so precious that we must make it our business to be personally involved. That doesn't only mean to learn ourselves, but to learn with others as well as we can. Further, it means that if we see someone learning wrong p'shat or doing something against halacha, we cannot say “It's someone else's responsibility” or “I don't want to get involved.”

We must personally see to it that Torah is upheld in the truest way possible. [Of course, if one will cause more harm by giving advice he should leave it to someone else who may be able to reprove in an acceptable fashion.] It is up to all of us to do whatever we can to spread Torah and protect it. Then we will be credited with its creation and upkeep, just as Betzalel was.

When the Brisker Rov's daughter was to be married, there was much discussion about who would be Mesader Kedushin. There were so many Torah luminaries and giants who would be in attendance that it was nearly impossible to choose one over another.

It was decided that the Gadol whose Ahavas Torah, love of Torah, was greatest would be the officiating Rav. One person got up and told a story about R' Leizer Gordon, Rav and Rosh HaYeshiva in Telshe, Lithuania.

“One night,” began the fellow, “R' Leizer was walking past the Bais HaMedrash and he heard two bochurim discussing a piece of Gemara. He wished to join their conversation but found that the door to the Bais HaMedrash was locked. Undeterred, he found an unlocked window and climbed through to join them.”

R' Leizer was chosen to marry the young couple.

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