The craftsman Betzalel son of Uri was installed as supervisor over the construction of the Tabernacle. The Sages learned from the manner of his appointment that it is necessary to consult the public when appointing a public figure. They also expand on Betzalel’s wisdom and understanding.

Rabbi Yitzhak said: One may appoint a leader over the public only if he consults with the public, as it is stated: “See, the Lord has called by name Betzalel” (Exodus 35:30). The Lord said to Moses: Moses, is Betzalel suitable in your eyes? Moses said to Him: Master of the Universe, if he is suitable in Your eyes, all the more so in my eyes. God said to him: Nevertheless, go and tell Israel. Moses went and said to Israel: Is Betzalel suitable in your eyes? They said to him: If he is suitable in the eyes of the Holy One, Blessed be He, and in your eyes, all the more so is he suitable in our eyes. Rabbi Shmuel bar Nahmani said that Rabbi Yonatan said: Betzalel was called by that name because of his wisdom. When the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Moses: Go tell Betzalel: “Make a Tabernacle, an ark, and vessels” (see 31:7–11), Moses went and reversed the order and said to Betzalel: “Make an ark, and vessels, and a Tabernacle” (see 31:25–26). Betzalel said to Moses: Moses our teacher, the standard practice throughout the world is that a person first builds a house and only afterward places the vessels in the house, and you say to me: Make an ark, and vessels, and a Tabernacle. If I do so in the order you have commanded, where shall I place the vessels that I make? Perhaps God told you the following: “Make a Tabernacle, an ark, and vessels” (see Exodus 36). Moses said to Betzalel: Perhaps you were in God’s shadow [(Berakhot 55a)