Bs”d
Pekudei (5776)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
38:22 – Rashi relates that Moshe Rabeinu, in setting up the makom of the Avoda, originally gave instructions to first construct the kailim, the vessels, and various articles necessary for the avoda to be followed by the construction of the Mishkan. It was very surprising and quite shocking to hear Bezalel to raise an objection. Firstly, where did get the inner strength, the nerve, to disagree with Moshe and why should he even think that Moshe wasn’t expressing or quoting the Will of Hashem; as it turned out Bezalel merited to conceive Hashem’s Will on his own.
Bezalel presented his ‘svara’ that the proper priority is to build a structure to house the vessels and utensils that eventually it will contain. Moshe agreed with his logic and then expressed that this was indeed what Hashem had commanded him. What needs explanation is that when Moshe consented that this was Hashem’s original plan this indicates that he had a certain awareness that this was what Hashem had truly intended, so why did he deviate?
Perhaps we might suggest the following. Moshe Rabeinu’s complete focus, attention and drive was the essence of fulfilling the Will of Hashem and coming close to Him, which is the purpose of life and the Creation. The whole intention of the kailim was to do exactly that, to come close to Hashem and express love and gratitude through the avoda using the kailim. Moshe was lost in his excitement and enthusiasm with his intensive focus on the kailim. In his spontaneous enthusiasm it would be even a greater kavod Hashem if the construction would reflect the spirit of inspiration giving the priority of the making of the kailim even if it was not in the accordance with the instructions of Hashem. This expression of idealism and inspiration was interrupted by Bezalel asserting himself, pointing out that it shows a greater Kiddush Hashem to honor the kailim by the derech eretz of the general way of the ‘olam’ by first preparing a place for the vessels to be constructed . Moshe in his humility and as a man of the truth admitted to the superiority of this thought and then declared that this was indeed truly the sequence of Hashem’s order.
We learn from here Moshe takes the initiative to go above Hashem’s order rationalizing that he was giving more honor to Hashem. Likewise we observe that Bezalel takes the initiatve to criticize even Moshe Rabeinu if it was in place and Moshe has the modesty and truthfulness to concede to Bezalel. For us it teaches to stand up for an ideal if you feel you are right even against someone greater than yourself. It calls for criticizing something or someone, to have the strength and backbone to be the guiding light. And no matter how great your position always be ready to bow to the truth and to admit that you were mistaken.