What is the significance of the word "Re'ei"?
Rashi (in B'rachos, 55a), Ramban #1 and R. Bachye #1: It means 'Take note! - of the wonder that any one person, even if he was well-trained, should be an expert in so many facets. 1 The fact that he had never even seen them being performed is even more incredible. And when one considers that Betzalel grew up in a society who labored in mortar and cement, and was a mere thirteen years old, it is truly mind-boggling. Hence when Hashem presented Betzalel to Moshe, he declared "Re'ei ... !". 2 And Hashem wanted Moshe to realize that He had filled Betzalel with His Spirit - even when he was still in his mother's womb. 3
Ramban #2 (citing Sh?mos Rabah): Hashem showed Moshe the Seifer of Adam ha'Rishon, and pointed out how, already at that stage, He had designated by name, the leaders of each and every generation (including Betzalel in his generation).
R. Bachye #2 (citing the Tanchuma): Hashem said ?Re?ei Karasi be?Shem ? ? and Moshe ? in 35:30 ?Re?u Kara Hashem be?Shem ? ? ? ?Re?ei? in the Heaven ?Re?u? on earth ? to teach us that Betzalel was accepted in heaven and on earth. 4
In silver, gold, precious stones, wood, embroidery and weaving. Moreover, Betzal'el knew all the deep meanings (Chochmah, Binah and Da'as) of everything that he manufactured (not to mention the ability to impart the knowledge to others - Ramban). See also Ibn Ezra.
Ramban: And that explains why, when Moshe presented Betzalel to Yisrael (35:3), he too declared "Re'u ...!"
Ramban: As in Yirmiyah, 1:5.
R. Bachye: As the Pasuk writes in Mishlei 3:4 ?u?Marza Chein ve?Seichel Tov be?Einei Elokim ve?Adam?.
What are the connotations of "Karasi be'Shem"?
Rashi: It means that Hashem called Betzalel to do His work". 1
Ramban #1: Refer to 31:2:1:1.
Ramban #2 (citing Sh?mos Rabah): Refer to 31:2:1:2.
R. Bachye #1: It means simply that Hashem called him by the name Betzalel. 2
R. Bachye #2: With reference to the Great Name of Hashem, it hints that like all prophets, 3 Betzalel received his knowledge from the Great Name of Hashem ? from the six days of the creation, 4 when all generations were inscribed in the Seifer of Adam ha?Rishon. 5 6
Targum Onkelos: It means that Hashem elevated Betzalel.
Targum Yonasan: It means that Hashem called Betzal'el by that name because it was the name that suited him (since it is the acronym of "be'Tzeil Keil Hayisa'). 7
B'rachos, 55a: It means that Hashem appointed Betzal'el as the chief architect - and this teaches us that Hashem tends to announce good communal leaders personally. 8
See Sifsei Chachamim.
This is similar to answer #6.
R. Bachye: As the Torah will write in 33:17 - in connection with Moshe ? ?Va?eda?acha be?Shem?.
See also R. Bachye at the end of the Dibur citing the Tanchuma.
As hinted in his name Betzalel ? ba?Atzilus Keil?.
R. Bachye: And he subsequenly dwelt in the Shade of Hashem, to construct the Aron which was the shade of the written Torah, and the lid with the Keruvim who covered the Aron with their wings to form a shade for the Aron.
Refer to 38:22:1:1 and note. See also Na'ar Yonasan) and Torah Temimah, notes 4-6, who elaborates.
See Torah Temimah, note 1.
Why was Betzalel, the grandson of Chur - chosen to build the Mishkan to atone for the murder ot Chur, and not Uri his son?
Oznayim la'Torah: Because Uri was in mourning over the death of his father, and the Shechinah (which instructed Betzalel how to construct the Mishkan), 1 would not have rested on him, since the Shechinah only rests on someone who is happy.
As the following Pasuk tells us.
How old was Betzalel when he built the Mishkan?
R. Bachye: From the fact that the Torah writes in Pikudei 36:4 ?Ish Ish mi?Melachto ? ?, he must have been at least thirteen. 1
Since the Torah would not refer to a Katan under thirteen as ?Ish?.
How could Calev, who was forty at the time of the Meraglim (See Yehoshu'a 14:7), have a great-grandson (Betzalel ben Uri ben Chur ben Calev) of thirteen?
R. Bachye (citing Sanhedrin, 69b): We see from here that the early generations were able to have children from the age of eight. 1
See Torah Temimah citing Sanhedrin, 69b, and note 6.
Why does the Torah mention even Betzalel's grandfather (Chur), and for Ohali'av, only his father?
Da'as Zekenim, Hadar Zekenim and Moshav Zekenim: Because Chur was murdered when he [protested against] the Eigel, and the Mishkan comes to atone for his murder.
