“Every skilled person to whom the Lord has given wisdom in his heart, everyone whose heart moved him to approach the work to do it.”
Wisdom in the heart? What does that mean?
The verse you cite from Parashat Vayakhel (Exodus 36:2) describes those who participated in the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle):
“Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given wisdom in his heart, everyone whose heart moved him to approach the work to do it.”
The verse uses the expression “Chacham Lev”—a wise heart.
But wisdom is usually associated with the intellect, not the heart.
So why does the Torah connect wisdom here to the heart rather than the brain?
Explanations – What is Wisdom of the Heart?
1. Wisdom with Emotion and Inner Motivation
Some people are academically intelligent, possessing vast knowledge, but they lack emotion or inner intent.
In contrast, the Torah speaks here of people whose wisdom is connected to their hearts, meaning:
- They do not only know how to do the work—they feel a deep connection to the mission.
- They perform their craft with passion and enthusiasm, not just in a technical manner.
2. Practical Wisdom – Spiritual Artistry
Rashi explains that Chochmat HaLev (Wisdom of the Heart) is the ability to take abstract knowledge and transform it into tangible action.
For example, Bezalel had to design the Mishkan—but he was not merely a technical artisan; he understood the spiritual depth of every detail he created.
For instance:
- One can know how to construct a Menorah, but understanding its spiritual secret requires Wisdom of the Heart.
- One can know how to weave the priestly garments, but infusing them with holiness and intent requires a special kind of wisdom.
3. Wisdom from God – Divine Inspiration
The verse emphasizes: “Whom the Lord had given wisdom in his heart.”
This means that it is not merely natural wisdom but a wisdom that God places within a person.
In other words, this is wisdom that goes beyond ordinary knowledge—it is a gift from God, arising from a connection to holiness.
4. The Courage and Drive to Act – “Everyone whose heart moved him”
There is a difference between knowing something and acting upon it.
The verse does not only speak about a “wise heart”, but also about those whose hearts moved them to act.
Sometimes, intelligent people hesitate to take action. But here, the Torah speaks of people whose hearts propelled them forward—they had the courage to take responsibility and to do.
What Can We Learn from This in Our Own Lives?
- True wisdom is wisdom connected to the heart – Knowing things is good, but knowing how to apply them and feeling an inner connection to them is even more important.
- It is not enough to be wise – One must also act – Chochmat HaLev means having initiative, not just knowledge.
- Service of God must come from the heart – Just as the builders of the Mishkan did not only work with technique but infused their work with soul, so too, each of us must put heart and spirituality into everything we do.
Conclusion
The phrase “Chochmat HaLev” teaches us that true wisdom is not just knowledge—it is wisdom that comes with emotion, commitment, artistry, and action.
The construction of the Mishkan was not just a technical task; it was an act of holiness and faith.
This is why the Torah describes the artisans as “wise-hearted”—wise people whose wisdom was deeply connected to their hearts and to their spiritual mission.
