Coming Clean

In Exodus 35:31, the craftsmen received abilities to do melakha “work” or “labor” or “craft” that was assigned to them. But besides all the knowledge and abilities, the Torah says in Exodus 35:35 ulehoret natan belibo “he put the ability to teach into his heart.” Betzalel was to teach Ohiliav the skills he knew. Hebrew literally says he placed the capacity to instruct into Betzalel’s inner being, into his heart. That’s the verb yarah, as in “to instruct” or “to point to things.” The noun Torah comes from this verb.

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