Vayakhel-Pekudei 5786/2026: Celebrating the Folks Behind the Scene

If I asked you to name the most famous people in the Bible, I think it’s fair to assume that you wouldn’t include Betzalel or his assistant, Oholiav on your list. Perhaps you’ve never even heard of them until just now. Nevertheless, they are both actually quite significant, as God selects them - by name - to build the Tabernacle during the Exodus. How skilled a

builder must he have been for God to single out Betzalel from among all the Israelites? The Tabernacle housed the 10 Commandments, was the place to offer sacrifices, and served as the main location where God spoke to Moses. It may then seem strange that we know so little about him, but even the Biblical text barely refers to him! Betzalel was only mentioned once in last week’s parashah, then a handful of times in our reading, and then never again in the whole Torah. That is why I wanted to tell you about him here, and also to talk a little more about the workers behind the scenes.

Even his name kind of hints at his understated role. Betzalel means “in the shadow of God.” You might say he is overlooked, uncredited, and left in the shadow of the limelight. Though is that objectively bad? Not everyone needs, or wants, public praise. I imagine he quietly went about his work together with Oholiav, just proud and content knowing God saw their skill and incredible abilities. I also believe this is a reminder to us all to reflect on our own behavior. If I am one of the people working in the background, or doing a seemingly menial task, I should still take pride in my work. Every contribution is vital and deserving of praise. Furthermore, the Torah is urging us to be mindful of, and grateful to, all the people performing the tasks that make our community and society function. There would be no Tabernacle without Oholiav and Betzalel. God made sure to stop and take note of them and their invaluable contributions. We need to do the same.