The Torah portion of Terumah introduces us to Betzalel, the artisan chosen to construct the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. But where did he get all that skill? Shemot Rabbah, a classical collection of Midrashic (rabbinic interpretive commentary) interpretations on the Book of Exodus, asks this very question.
The Midrash tells us his lineage is key: "Betzalel, son of Uri, son of Ḥur, of the tribe of Judah." Ah, Judah! But there’s more to it than just tribal affiliation. The Shemot Rabbah connects Betzalel's wisdom back to Miriam, Moses' sister. Remember the Israelite midwives in Egypt who defied Pharaoh's decree to kill newborn boys? The Midrash identifies them as Yokheved and Miriam (Shemot Rabbah 1:13). Because of their bravery, God "established houses for them" (Exodus 1:21).
Now, what were these "houses"? According to the Midrash, they were "a house of priesthood and a house of royalty." Yokheved, being Moses and Aaron's mother, merited both: Aaron became the High Priest, and Moses, as we find in (Deuteronomy 33:5), became king in Yeshurun. But Miriam? Miriam received wisdom, which manifested in her descendant, Betzalel. The line continues through Caleb, who "took for himself Efrat, and she bore him Ḥur" (I (Chronicles 2:1)9). And David? He's called "David son of [that] nobleman [ish efrati]" (I (Samuel 17:1)2), linking him back to Miriam, also called Efrat (Shemot Rabbah 1:17).
So, Miriam wasn't just a prophetess; she was a conduit for wisdom that would shape the very heart of Israel's worship!
The Midrash makes an even bolder claim: "With these three things the world was created...wisdom, understanding, and knowledge." And these same three things were used to craft the Tabernacle, as God says, "I filled him with the spirit of God; with wisdom, with understanding, and with knowledge" (Exodus 31:3). This echoes in the construction of the Temple (I (Kings 7:1)4) and points towards a future, rebuilt Temple, as (Proverbs 24:3-4) says: "With wisdom a house is built, and with understanding it is established; with knowledge, chambers are filled."
Where does this wisdom ultimately originate? From God, of course. The Midrash emphasizes that "the spirit of God" is the source (Exodus 31:3). We see this echoed in Joshua, descendant of Joseph, who was "full of the spirit of wisdom" (Deuteronomy 34:9), and in Otniel ben Kenaz, from Judah, upon whom "the spirit of the Lord was upon him" (Judges 3:10).
Rabbi Ḥanina points to (Job 32:8): "Indeed, it is a spirit in man." The understanding Betzalel possessed? It came directly from the Almighty. The Midrash breaks down the elements: "With wisdom" – he was wise in Torah; "with understanding" – he had understanding of halakha, Jewish law; "with knowledge" – he was filled with knowledge of the Talmud.
The Midrash concludes with a beautiful promise: "In this world, My spirit endows you with wisdom, but in the future, My spirit will give you life" (Ezekiel 37:14).
So, what does this all mean for us? It reminds us that true creativity, true skill, isn't just about natural talent. It's about connecting to something higher, something divine. And perhaps, like Miriam, we too can become conduits for wisdom, building a better world with our own unique gifts.
From where [did he merit] all this distinction? From the tribe of Judah.11This is implied by the phrase, “Betzalel, son of Uri, son of Ḥur, of the tribe of Judah.” From where did he merit all this wisdom? It was due to the merit of Miriam, as it is stated: “He established houses for them” (Exodus 1:21).12This is stated in reference to God’s reward to the Israelite midwives in Egypt, who refused to implement Pharaoh’s decree to kill the baby boys. The midrash asserts that these midwives were Yokheved and Miriam (see Shemot Rabba 1:13). What were those houses? They were a house of priesthood and a house of royalty. Yokheved took priesthood and kingdom; Aaron was High Priest, and Moses was king, as it is stated: “He became king in Yeshurun” (Deuteronomy 33:5). Miriam took wisdom, as she produced Betzalel, from whom David, who became king, emerged,13Thus, she was awarded wisdom and royalty. as it is stated: “[Caleb took for himself Efrat], and she bore him Ḥur” (I Chronicles 2:19), and it is written: “David son of [that] nobleman [ish efrati]” (I Samuel 17:12), as he descended from Miriam, who was called Efrat.14See Shemot Rabba 1:17, where the midrash asserts that Miriam was also called Efrat. With these three things the world was created, as it is stated: “The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, established the heavens with understanding. With His knowledge the depths were breached” (Proverbs 3:19–20). And with these three things the Tabernacle was crafted, as it is stated: “I filled him with the spirit of God; with wisdom, with understanding, and with knowledge” (Exodus 31:3). And with these three things the Temple was constructed, as it is stated: “He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali…he was filled with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge” (I Kings 7:14). Likewise, when the Holy One blessed be He will rise to construct it in the future, it will be constructed with these three things, as it is stated: “With wisdom a house is built, and with understanding it is established” (Proverbs 24:3), and it is written: “With knowledge, chambers are filled” (Proverbs 24:4). Another matter: “I filled him […with wisdom]” (Exodus 31:3) – from where was all this wisdom? It was from the Holy One blessed be He, “the spirit of God.” Likewise you find regarding Joshua, who descended from Joseph; what is written in his regard? “Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom” (Deuteronomy 34:9). Likewise you find regarding Otniel ben Kenaz, who descended from Judah; what is written in his regard? “The spirit of the Lord was upon him” (Judges 3:10). All the miracles that were performed on their behalf were due to the blessing with which Moses blessed the tribes, as it is stated: “And this for Judah, and he said” (Deuteronomy 33:7); when they encounter distress, “You will be a help against his adversaries” (Deuteronomy 33:7). Another matter: “Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah” (Deuteronomy 33:7) – as the Holy One blessed be He endowed him with a Divine Spirit for prominence, with which he would prevail. Rabbi Ḥanina said: That is what is written: “Indeed, it is a spirit in man” (Job 32:8). All the understanding that was in Betzalel was from the Almighty; that is, “I filled him with the spirit of God; [with wisdom, with understanding, and with knowledge]” (Exodus 31:3). “With wisdom” – as he was wise in Torah; “with understanding” – as he had understanding of halakha; “with knowledge” – as he was filled with knowledge of the Talmud. The Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘In this world, My spirit endows you with wisdom, but in the future, My spirit will give you life,’ as it is stated: “I will place My spirit in you, and you will live” (Ezekiel 37:14).
