According to the midrash, the way Hashem frames,
choosing Betzalel is by taking a book of names.
The book—we’re told—in homiletic hyperbole,
listed every person who ever was or ever will be.
And the grand finale was Betzalel’s selection being done,
for the artist of the Mishkan, Hashem chose him as the one.
What message does the midrash wish to convey
by saying that Betzalel was chosen in this way?
The lesson here, that it would help us to discuss,
is that there’s something unique about each one of us.
Just like Betzalel was gifted and in his artistry shined,
we were all blessed with talents to which we’re inclined.
We each contribute to the world in our own fashion,
using our one and only purpose and passion.
People are all different, yet in some ways, we’re the same:
like Betzalel, God calls each one of us by name.
Rabbi Neil Fleischmann, an ordained rabbi from RIETS, has taught Torah for over 30 years, primarily at The Frisch School, where he coached the award-winning poetry team. As an integral part of the Yeshiva Poetry Society, Fleischmann is a passionate advocate for the arts within the Torah world. He was named New York’s funniest rabbi and has performed stand up comedy, as well as presenting as scholar in residence, across the city and country. His literary work includes the haiku collection, “In The Field,” and he has contributed close to 20 poems to the “Stories of Our Lives” anthologies, parts 1 and 2. Currently, Fleischmann is working on a book of parsha poems that combines meaningful content with whimsical formatting. You can reach him at [email protected].
