Betzalel – Ki Tissa
Bezalel, by James Tissot, c. 1896
His name means “In the Shadow of God”, i.e. near to and protected by God. He had the wisdom and spirituality to have charge of building the Tabernacle in the wilderness.
These days there are professionals who design and build places of worship, but in the time of Moses the task was really daunting. Apart from creating a massive sanctuary and constructing its furnishings, it needed to be portable. And the work was suspended on Shabbat!
The skills of Betzalel were unique and effective.
