The Torah attributes the building of the Aron to Betzalel. Rashi explains that because Betzalel was moser nefesh, sacrificed himself with remarkable diligence to make sure that the Aron was built to exact perfection, he was considered to be its prime builder. Interestingly, in response to the Torah’s previous statement,Vaya’asu Haron, and they made the Aron,” Chazal question why the Torah writes, “and they” in the plural. In contrast, regarding other vessels the Torah had stated Va’asos, “and you should make,” in the singular. Chazal suggest that the Aron represents Torah study. Thus, everyone is welcome to join in creating the Aron, so that they will all share in the Torah. We may now question Betzalel’s attitude toward building the Aron. Why was he careful to do as much as possible himself? If Hashem desired that the construction of the Aron should be a collective project, Betzalel should have restrained himself, giving others an opportunity to share in the task.
Horav Baruch Sorotzkin, zl, infers a significant principle from Betzalel’s behavior. When it concerns Torah study, one should not rely upon others. While the mitzvah of Torah study and dissemination is placed upon everyone, the individual must act as if he is the only one who can successfully carry out the command. Torah is the lifeblood of our people. It sustains us spiritually, as it guides our moral behavior. To study Torah and see to it that others do the same is as much a personal mitzvah as it is a collective one. When our lives and the lives of others are at stake, we do not sit back and wait for help from an external sour
