Some time ago, I wrote a drash about Parshat Eikev (פרשת עקב) entitled, “Who Built It?”
I drew attention to this verse: “And you will say in your heart, ‘My
power and the might of my hand made me this wealth.’ And you will
remember the Lord your God, for He it is Who gives you power to make
wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18). While the wealthy person is inclined to
believe that he is singularly responsible for his own success in life
(“I built that”) this portion teaches us otherwise.
Parshat Ki Tisa (פרשת כי תשא) extends this point from economic capital to what sociologists call cultural capital. It’s not just the wealthy person who is inclined to commit the aveirah (עבירה) of believing he built his good fortune on his own. Learned and brilliant people often fall into an analogous error, believing that their intelligence and wisdom made them successful. They too forget the Source of their power—in this case, the power to understand.
Parshat Ki Tisa makes this point through Bezalel, the man upon whom the Lord calls to manage the construction of the Mishkan (משכן or Tabernacle). Bezalel is chosen for this role because of his wisdom (חכמה), understanding (תבונה), and knowledge (דעת) (Exodus 31:3). But notice what the portion teaches about these qualities. Just as it is the Lord “Who gives you power to make wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18), so it is the Lord who imbues Bezalel with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (Exodus 31:3). For good measure, the Torah makes clear that the point does not apply to Bezalel alone, for “in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom that they may make all that I have commanded” (Ex. 31:6). The verse reminds us of the Source of these qualities and how we are instructed to use them: to build a sanctuary (more figuratively to sanctify the world) so that we may foster the divine presence among us.
Parshat Ki Tisa (פרשת כי תשא) extends this point from economic capital to what sociologists call cultural capital. It’s not just the wealthy person who is inclined to commit the aveirah (עבירה) of believing he built his good fortune on his own. Learned and brilliant people often fall into an analogous error, believing that their intelligence and wisdom made them successful. They too forget the Source of their power—in this case, the power to understand.
Parshat Ki Tisa makes this point through Bezalel, the man upon whom the Lord calls to manage the construction of the Mishkan (משכן or Tabernacle). Bezalel is chosen for this role because of his wisdom (חכמה), understanding (תבונה), and knowledge (דעת) (Exodus 31:3). But notice what the portion teaches about these qualities. Just as it is the Lord “Who gives you power to make wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18), so it is the Lord who imbues Bezalel with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (Exodus 31:3). For good measure, the Torah makes clear that the point does not apply to Bezalel alone, for “in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom that they may make all that I have commanded” (Ex. 31:6). The verse reminds us of the Source of these qualities and how we are instructed to use them: to build a sanctuary (more figuratively to sanctify the world) so that we may foster the divine presence among us.
