There were numerous wise men there, and they came to Moses, but they were unable to erect it. As Solomon said: “Many daughters have performed valiantly, but you have surpassed [alit] them all” (Proverbs 31:29); as Moses was the most excellent [meuleh] of them all. “But you have surpassed them all.” Why?
Because they crafted the Tabernacle but were unable to put it together. What did they do? Each and every one took [the product of] his labor and they came to Moses. They said: ‘Here are the boards, here are the bars.’
When Moses saw them, the Divine Presence immediately rested upon him and he erected it. Do not say that Moses set it up; rather, miracles were performed regarding the Tabernacle and it stood on its own, as it is stated: “The Tabernacle was erected” (Exodus 40:17).11The verse states that the Tabernacle was erected rather than stating that people erected it, implying that it stood on its own. If you are astonished about this, note that when Solomon built the Temple, it was built on its own.
Rav Huna said in the name of Rabbi Yosei: Everything assisted him when he built the House of God, [including] the angels12Translation based on Matnot Kehuna. and the spirits. From where is it derived? As it is written: “The House, in its construction, was built of whole stones that were transported; hammers, the axe, or any iron tools were not heard in the House in its construction” (I Kings 6:7).
It was built on its own. Therefore, it was built with miraculous acts.13The reflexive Hebrew term behibanoto, translated as “in its construction,” can also be translated “as it built itself.” Likewise, when the Tabernacle was erected, it was established with miraculous acts. That is, “they brought the Tabernacle.”