A Thought on Parshas Vayakhel

"...Betzalel ben Uri ben Chur..." (35:30) "...Oholiav ben Achisamach..." (35:34) The Torah introduces the two master artisans who crafted the mishkan and its implements. Our verse identifies Betzalel and Ohaliav as the main craftsmen, chosen for their skills and wisdom by HaShem Himself! What is to be learned or derived from the fact that the Torah traces the lineage of Betzalel to two prior generations, whereas his associate Ohaliav is linked only to his father, one generation? The Panae'ach Raza focuses on that third generation which is present in mentioning Betzalel but absent in citing Oholiav. It is customary to list a father's name when mentioning a son, so this happens with regard to both of these men. The addition of a grandfather's name in the case of Betzalel is the exception to the custom, so therein must lie the hidden message of the passage, the Panae'ach Raza reasons. Betzalel ben Uri would have been sufficient. What is added by noting that his grandfather was Chur? The Panae'ach Raza reminds us that Chur was a great man, and a martyr. In fact, he was the one who had tried to stop the maaseh egel from occurring. He was killed in the process, dying al kidush HaShem. His murder enunciated the depravity and shame of that entire episode so early on in our history. The Panae'ach Raza then reminds us that the mishkan was given to us in order to atone for all that happened during that heinous incident. By choosing Chur's grandson to engage in the design and construction of the mishkan, HaShem was demonstrating that He had in fact and in deed accepted the repentance of the Jewish nation for the sordid events at the egel. This mishkan as a vehicle for atonement was further symbolized by appointing Chur's descendant to take a pivotal role in its construction. When we read "Betzalel ben Uri" designed the mishkan, we are being told that HaShem was giving us the ability to attain atonement via the mishkan. When we read that he was also "ben Chur" we are being told that Chur's name being associated with the mishkan did not insinuate that the taint of his murder lingered but rather that this sin too could be absolved through our dedicated avoda in the mishkan. Good Shabbos. D Fox