Moses Finished the Tabernacle Because He Gave His Soul to It

Another interpretation of (Numbers 7:1) "And it came to pass on the day that Moses had finished." This is what Scripture says (Proverbs 27:18): "Whoever tends a fig tree shall eat its fruit." The Holy One, blessed be He, does not withhold the reward of any creature; rather, for everything in which a person labors and gives his soul over the matter, the Holy One, blessed be He, does not withhold his reward. Therefore it is said: "Whoever tends a fig tree shall eat its fruit." Do you wish to know? Solomon built the Temple, as it is said (1 Kings 6:14): "So Solomon built the house, and finished it." Yet because David had given his soul over the Temple, that it should be built, as it is said (Psalms 132:1-5): "Lord, remember David, and all his affliction; how he swore to the Lord, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: Surely I will not come into the tent of my house, nor go up into the bed that is spread for me... until I find a place for the Lord" — the Holy One, blessed be He, did not withhold his reward, but had it written in his name, as it is said (Psalms 30:1): "A Psalm; a Song at the Dedication of the House, of David." It does not say "of Solomon," but rather "of David." Solomon spoke well: "Whoever tends a fig tree shall eat its fruit." So too you find with the Tabernacle, that all gave their souls and made the Tabernacle. All Israel volunteered; the women spun the goats' hair; and likewise (Exodus 36:8): "And all the wise-hearted among them that wrought the work made the Tabernacle"; and likewise (Exodus 36:1): "And Bezalel and Oholiab shall work." Yet because Moses gave his soul over it, that it should be made just as the Holy One, blessed be He, had shown him on the mountain, as it is said (Exodus 25:40): "And see and make them after their pattern" — and Moses went and gave his soul that they should not err. Therefore it is written concerning each and every matter (Exodus 39): "As the Lord commanded Moses." And so it says (Exodus 39:43): "And Moses saw all the work... and Moses blessed them." And with what blessing did he bless them? He said to them: May the Divine Presence rest upon the work of your hands. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Since Moses gave his soul over the Tabernacle, I will write it only in his name, as it is said (Numbers 7:1): "And it came to pass on the day that Moses had finished."