“Moses said to the Children of Israel, “See, G-d has proclaimed by name, Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. He filled him with G-dly spirit, with wisdom, with understanding, and with knowledge, and with every craft – to make artistic designs, to work with the gold, with the silver, and with copper; lapidary work for filling, and wood carving – to do every artistic craft.” –Exodus 35: 30-33
Bezalel epitomized G-dliness and holiness. The Talmud comments that Bezalel understood the mystical combinations of letters that connect the heavenly sphere to the earthy sphere. He was a very holy man. The Torah seems to skim by that fact. Instead it focuses on his artistic talent. How could the Torah even begin singing his praises about some carpentry skills that he possessed if that pales in comparison to his true talent: connecting worlds and bringing the Divine spirit into the material Temple structure?
The grandfather of the yeshiva movement, Rabbi Chaim Volozhiner (1749-1821), hired a fundraiser for his famed Volozhiner Yeshiva. After a number of years, the fundraiser requested funds to purchase a horse and buggy, and to hire a driver, in order to offset the hardship of schedules posed by traveling with chartered drivers. In addition, the fundraiser requested funds to purchase new clothing in order to appear more presentable. Both of his requests were granted. The fundraiser was very successful and when he returned to Volozhin, Rabbi Chaim reviewed all of the donations with the fundraiser.
Shockingly, a villager who used to donate a very substantial sum in previous years did not donate anything this year. The fundraiser explained that the man was incensed with the expenditures on the horse and buggy and the new wardrobe, and therefore he decided to cease his support of the yeshiva. Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin became incensed. He insisted on personally visiting the villager. The villager was shocked that Reb Chaim himself visited his home. The villager began apologizing for ending his annual donation, but he explained that the money was going to ridiculous causes, so he could no longer consider that money as going to charity. Reb Chaim took his hand, and asked him if he has studied Talmud or Mishnah. The man had not. Reb Chaim then asked him if he knew the Chumash (the five books of Moses). He indeed was familiar with Chumash. Reb Chaim asked him the aforementioned question. Why in the world does the Torah discuss Bezalel’s carpentry skills, in light of his Divine understanding?
Reb Chaim explained that every Jew wanted their donation to be used for the ark in the Holy of Holies. What process did Bezalel use in appropriating the donations? The answer is given in the verse. He was no mere carpenter or silversmith. He understood gold, silver, and copper, meaning: he understood the intention with which it was donated. If the donor had altruistic intentions then he allocated the donation for the holiest cause. However if the person only wanted his name on a building, then his money went to feed the animals. The same holds true for donating money to my yeshiva, Reb Chaim continued. In times of old, Bezalel allocated the funds; today, G-d ensures that the right money goes to the right places. If you have holy intentions, then your money with be directed to directly supporting Torah studies. If however your intentions are sullied, then your money will help buy feed for the fundraiser’s horse. It all depends on your intention.
Case in point, a couple of years ago, a million dollar pledge to the Toronto JCC was withdrawn because the sign erected displaying the donor’s name was too small for the donor.
In today’s economic environment, people are holding tight onto their purse strings. Let us take to heart the message of Reb Chaim. It is all in the intention. Let us open up our wallets, and prove that all along our charity was purely altruistic, and if we help out G-d’s causes and children, we will definitely be paid back many times over.
