The Princes' Onyx Stones and the Reward of Hur Who Gave His Life

(Exodus 35:27) "And the princes brought the onyx stones." It is written (Exodus 16:21) "And they gathered it morning by morning," and it is written "And they brought to him still more freewill offerings morning by morning" - this teaches that precious stones and pearls came down for Israel together with the manna. "And the princes (ha-nesi'im) brought" - it was taught: actual princes; and so it says (Proverbs 25:14) "Clouds (nesi'im) and wind but no rain." (Exodus 35:30-31) "And Moses said to the children of Israel: See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel." This is what Scripture says (Ecclesiastes 7:1) "A good name is better than good oil" - good was the name of Bezalel more than good oil. Why? Because the Holy One, blessed be He, made him famous, as it is said "See, the LORD has called by name." We mention the worthy and let them rest: "And with him Oholiab son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan" (Exodus 38:23) - praise to him, praise to his father, praise to his family, praise to his tribe, that such a one came forth from it. We mention the wicked and mock them: "And the name of his mother was Shelomith daughter of Dibri" - disgrace to him, disgrace to his father, disgrace to his tribe, disgrace to his family, that such a one came forth from him; "Achan son of Carmi son of Zabdi son of Zerah" - disgrace to him, disgrace to his father, disgrace to his tribe, disgrace to his family. "See, the LORD has called by name." What need was there to mention Hur here? Rather, because Hur gave his life for the Holy One, blessed be He, when Israel sought to serve idolatry and he did not allow them, so they rose up and killed him. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: By your life, I will repay you. A parable: to what may the matter be compared? To a king whose legions rebelled against him. His general arose and fought them, saying: Are you rebelling against the king? They rose against him and the legions killed him. The king said: By your life, had you given me money I would have repaid you, but now you have given your very life for me. By your life, every son you have I will raise up in the world and make them dukes and prefects. So too Hur gave his life for the Holy One, blessed be He, in the matter of the calf. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: By your life, all your sons I will raise up in this world, as it is said "See, the LORD has called by name... and He filled him with the spirit of God." And do not say Bezalel alone, but everyone who was engaged in the work of the Tabernacle - the Holy One, blessed be He, placed in them understanding and wisdom and knowledge, as it is said (Exodus 36:8) "And every wise-hearted one made." And do not say among human beings only, but even among beast and animal. Yet from all of them none became famous except Bezalel, as it is said "See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel."