(b) (1) Since the goal was that Bnei Yisrael make sufficient donations, why does the Torah detail the craftsmen’s reported excess (2 reasons)? (2) What happened to the materials that Bnei Yisrael contributed to the Mishkan that were left over (3 views)? (c) Why, in describing the size of the kerashim (planks), is the word “amot” (cubits) spelled without a vav (2 views)? (Shemot 36:3,7,21)
A-4. (a) Enough was brought on the first day that Moshe requested donations – he told them to give the subsequent days’ donations, which were extra, directly to the craftsmen; (b) (1) It was praise for (i) Bnei Yisrael who were so generous, and (ii) the craftsmen who were so trustworthy (Ramban). (2) (i) Since there was extra, Betzalel did not skimp on using the contributed materials (Sforno). (ii) Even though there was extra, Betzalel miraculously used everything, and nothing was returned to the contributors (Ohr haChaim). (iii) The leftovers were reserved for future repairs (Ramban). (c) There are 2 views about the planks’ size in Shabbat 98a-b – each plank’s width was (1) 1 cubit at the base but tapered to 1 etzba (fingerbreadth – 1/24 of an ama) at the top – the missing vav indicates that the planks’ whole length was not an ama wide; (2) 1 cubit wide for its whole length – without the vav, amot can be read as amat, in the singular, indicating that the entire plank was 1 ama thick (Rokeach).
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Q-5. (a) Why, with respect to the aron, does the Torah say “Betzalel made,” but for all the subsequent utensils, “he made” (3 views)? (b) Why did the mizbach ha-ketoret (golden incense altar) have a rim (2 reasons)? (c) In describing the shemen ha-mishcha (anointment oil) and ketoret (incense), why did Moshe not detail the exact ingredients and amounts, as he provided measurements for all of the Mishkan’s other items? (Shemot 37:1,26,29)
A-5. (a) (1) While the “wise men” (36:1) made the aron and other items, the work is given Betzalel’s name since he devoted himself to the work more than the others (Rashi). (2) Each statement “he made” refers back to Betzalel since he alone made the items (ibn Ezra). (3) Betzalel alone made the aron, but the wise men, under his supervision, made the other items (Ramban). (b) The rim (1) prevented ketoret from falling off when it was burned (Abarbanel); (2) was like a crown, alluding to the crown of kehuna (priesthood) (Yoma 72b). (c) The Torah did not detail this since it was “ma’asei roke’ach” (a perfumer’s handiwork) – perfumers knew the proper ingredients
and how to mix them without being told (Ramban).