<b>See, he hath called by name Bezalel (Exod. 35:30).</b> Observe what He did for Bezalel. The Holy One, blessed be He, instilled wisdom in his heart, as it is said: <i>And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge</i> (ibid., v. 31). It was with these attributes the Holy One, blessed be He, created His world, as it is said: <i>The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by knowledge the depths were broken up</i> (Prov. 3:19–20). With these same attributes Bezalel erected the Tabernacle.
The Temple was similarly constructed by means of these three attributes, as it is said: <i>He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, and he was filled with wisdom, understanding, and skill</i> (I Kings 7:14). Similarly, the Temple will be rebuilt in the future with these three attributes, as is said: <i>Through wisdom is a house builded, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant riches</i> (Prov. 24:3–4). Therefore, <i>And He hath filled him with the spirit of God</i>. Where did all this wisdom come from? From the spirit of God. <i>And He filled him with the spirit of God</i> alludes also to Joshua, who descended from the tribe of Ephraim, as it is written: <i>And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom</i> (Deut. 34:9). And it refers as well to Othniel the son of Kenaz, who came from the tribe of Judah, since it is written about him: <i>And the spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel</i> (Judg. 3:10). All this happened because Moses blessed the tribe: <i>And this for Judah, and he said: “Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him in unto his people; his hands shall contend for him, and Thou shalt be a help against his adversaries”</i> (Deut. 33:7). When they become involved in difficulties, You shall be a help to them.
Another explanation of <i>Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah</i>. When You put in him the Holy Spirit, he will be exalted and grow strong. Therefore all of Bezalel’s distinction came from the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is said: <i>And He hath filled him with the spirit of God</i>.
Elihu disclosed: <i>I said: “Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.” But it is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty, that giveth them understanding</i> (Job 32:7). All of the understanding possessed by Bezalel came from the spirit of the Almighty, and it was instilled into him. <i>And He hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom. Understanding and knowledge</i> (Exod. 35:31). He was <i>wise</i> in his knowledge of the Torah, in <i>understanding</i>, because he comprehended the law, and <i>knowledge</i>, because his mind was full of learning, <i>and in all manner of workmanship</i>, according to its plain meaning. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: In this world, My spirit instills wisdom within you, but in the future I will implant My spirit within you and you will be restored to life, as it is said: <i>And I will put My spirit within you and you shall live</i> (Ezek. 37:14).