Why Moses Gave Israel a Full Accounting of the Tabernacle

"These are the records of the Tabernacle" (Exodus 38:21). Everything that Moses did, he did through others, as it is said, "the work of the Levites by the hand of Ithamar" (Exodus 38:21). He did the accounting only after the work of the Tabernacle was completed. He said to them: Come, and I will make an accounting before you. All Israel gathered while he sat and reckoned. He forgot one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five shekels, from which he had made hooks for the pillars. He said to them, "And of the one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five [he made hooks for the pillars]" (Exodus 38:28). At that moment Israel was conciliated concerning the work of the Tabernacle. And who brought this about for him? Because he sat and conciliated them. "These are the records of the Tabernacle." And why did he make an accounting with them, when the Holy One, blessed be He, trusted him, as it is said, "Not so with My servant Moses; [he is trusted in all My house]" (Numbers 12:7)? Yet Moses said: Come and make an accounting with me. Rather, Moses heard Israel speaking behind his back, as it is said, "And it came to pass, when Moses went out to the tent, [all the people rose up]... and looked after Moses" (Exodus 33:8). And what were they saying? Rabbi Isaac says: They were speaking in praise. They said: Happy is she who bore this one. All his days the Holy One, blessed be He, speaks with him; all his days he is wholly devoted to the Holy One, blessed be He, "and they looked after Moses." But Rabbi Hama said: They spoke to his disgrace. They said: Look at that neck, look at those thighs! He eats from what belongs to the Jews and drinks from what belongs to the Jews, and everything he has is from the Jews. And his fellow would answer him: A man who has had charge of the work of the Tabernacle — would you not want him to be rich? When Moses heard this, he said to them: By your lives, when the Tabernacle is completed, I will make an accounting with you, as it is said, "These are the records of the Tabernacle."