That is what is written: “Give to the wise person, and he will grow wiser” (Proverbs 9:9), this is Noah, as the Holy One blessed be He said to him: “From every pure animal, take for yourself seven of each, [a male and his mate; and of the animals that are not pure, two, a male and his mate]” (Genesis 7:2). When he emerged, what is written? “He built an altar to the Lord” (Genesis 8:20). What is “he built [vayiven]”?
He scrutinized [hitbonen] and said: ‘For what reason did the Holy One blessed be He increase the number of the pure relative to the impure? Is it not that He wished that I sacrifice to Him from them?’ Immediately, “he took from each species of pure animal [and offered burnt-offerings on the altar]” (Genesis 8:20). That is, “give to the wise person, and he will grow wiser,” because the wise man hears something, fulfills it, and adds to it.
Another matter, “give to the wise person, and he will grow wiser,” this is Moses, as it is stated: “The wise goes up to the city of the mighty” (Proverbs 21:22), as he would study Torah from the mouth of the Almighty, and he would come and tell it to Israel and benefit them, and he would give them more life. That is, “give to the wise person, and he will grow wiser.” Another matter, “give to the wise person,” this is Betzalel.
You find that when the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘Craft the Tabernacle,’ he came and related it to Betzalel. [Betzalel] said to him: ‘What is [the purpose of] this Tabernacle?’ He said to him: ‘It is so the Holy One blessed be He will rest His Divine Presence in it and will teach Israel Torah.’ Betzalel said to him: ‘Where will the Torah be placed?’ He said to him: ‘After we craft the Tabernacle, we will craft the Ark.’
He said to him: ‘Our master, Moses. It is not in keeping with the honor due the Torah to do so; rather, we will craft the Ark and the Tabernacle thereafter.’ That is why it was called by his name: “Betzalel crafted the Ark.”