The work on the Tabernacle progressed rapidly, for everything was ready
in the month of Kislew, but it was not set up until three months later.
The people were indeed eager to set up the sanctuary at once and to
dedicate it, but God bade Moses wait until the first day of the month
of Nisan, because that was Isaac's birthday, and God wished the joy of
dedication to take place on this day of joy. The mockers among Israel,
of course, to whom this was not known, made fun of Moses, saying: "Of
course, is it possible that the Shekinah should rest over the work of
Amram's sons?" [357]
In regard to the Tabernacle, Moses had to suffer much besides from the
fault-finders and wicked tongues. If he showed himself upon the street,
they called out to one another: "See what a well-fed neck, what sturdy
legs the son of Amram has, who eats and drinks from our money!" The
other would answer: "Dost thou believe that one who has construction of
the Tabernacle in his hands will remain a poor man?" Moses said
nothing, but resolved, as soon as the Tabernacle should have been
completed, to lay an exact account before the people, which he did. But
when it came to giving his account, he forgot one item of seven hundred
seventy-five shekels which he had expended for hooks upon which to hang
the curtains of the Tabernacle. Then, as he suddenly raised his eyes,
he saw the Shekinah resting on the hooks and was reminded of his
omission of this expenditure. Thereafter all Israel became convinced
that Moses was a faithful and reliable administrator. [358]
As the people had brought much more material than was necessary for the
Tabernacle, Moses erected a second Tabernacle outside the encampment on
the spot where God had been accustomed to reveal Himself to him, and
this "Tabernacle of revelation" was in all details like the original
sanctuary in the camp. [359]
When everything was ready, the people were very much disappointed that
the Shekinah did not rest upon their work, and the betook themselves to
the wise men who had worked on the erection of the Tabernacle, and said
to them: "Why do ye sit thus idle, set up the Tabernacle, that the
Shekinah may dwell among us." These now attempted to put up the
Tabernacle, but did not succeed, for hardly did they believe it was up,
when it fell down again. Now all went to Bezalel and his assistant
Oholiab, saying to them: "Do you now set up the Tabernacle, you who
constructed it, and perhaps it will then stand." But when even these
two master-builders did not succeed in setting up the Tabernacle, the
people began to find fault, and say: "See now what the son of Amram has
brought upon us. We spent our money and went through a great deal of
trouble, all because he assured us that the Holy One, blessed be He,
would descend from His place with the angels and dwell among us under
'the hangings of goats' hair,' but it has all been in vain." The people
now went to Moses, saying: "O our teacher Moses, we have done all thou
has bidden us do, we gave all thou didst ask of us. Look now upon this
completed work, and tell us if we have omitted aught, or have done
aught we should have refrained from doing, examine it with care and
answer us." Moses had to admit that all had been done according to his
instructions. "But if it be so," continued the people, "why then cannot
the Tabernacle stand? Bezalel and Oholiab failed to set it up, and all
the wise men as well!" This communication sorely grieved Moses, who
could not understand why the Tabernacle could not be set up. But God
said to him: "Thou wert sorry to have had no share in the erection of
the Tabernacle, which the people supplied with material, and on which
Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other wise men labored with the work of their
hands. For this reason did it come to pass that none could set up the
Tabernacle, for I want all Israel to see that it cannot stand if thou
dost not set it up." Moses replied: "O Lord of the world! I do not know
how to put it up." But God answered: "Go, get busy with its setting-up,
and while thou art busy at it, it will rise of its own accord." And so
it came to pass. Hardly had Moses put his hand upon the Tabernacle,
when it stood erect, and the rumors among the people that Moses had
arbitrarily put up the Tabernacle without the command of God ceased
forevermore. [370]