After all the component parts of the Tabernacle were crafted, it was necessary to assemble the structural parts together and put each vessel in its place. Only when the Tabernacle stood ready could the Divine Presence rest in it. The Sages relate that Moses was the only one who was able to assemble the Tabernacle.

Once the Israelites completed the labor of the Tabernacle, they sat and awaited the Divine Presence to come and rest in it. They were all disappointed because the Divine Presence had not yet rested upon it. What did they do? They went to the wise [craftsmen who participated in the preparation of the Tabernacle] and said to them: Why are you sitting there? Erect the Tabernacle so the Divine Presence will rest among us! The craftsmen attempted to erect it, but they did not know how and they were unable to put it up, and when they attempted to erect it – it would collapse. Immediately, they went to Betzalel and Oholiav. They said to them: You come and erect the Tabernacle, as you are the ones who crafted it. Perhaps through your efforts, it is fit to be erected. Betzalel and Oholiav immediately began to erect it, but were unable to do so. The Israelites began speaking, defaming, and saying: Look what Moses the son of Amram has done to us! He spent all our money on this Tabernacle, and he involved us in all this effort. He told us that the Holy One, blessed be He, would descend from on High and rest in the sheets of goat’s hair. Why were the Israelites unable to erect it? It was because Moses was pained that he had not participated with them in the Tabernacle project. How so? The donations were provided by the Israelites, and the labor was performed by Betzalel and Oholiav and the wise craftsmen. Because Moses was pained, the Holy One, blessed be He, concealed from them what to do and they were unable to erect the Tabernacle. All Israel approached Moses. They said: Moses our teacher, we have done everything that you told us, and we gave everything that you commanded us to give and to expend. All the work we performed is before you. Have we neglected anything? Did we add anything beyond what you said to us? Look, everything is before you. And they showed him each and every item…. They said to Moses: Didn’t you tell us to do this and that? Moses said to them: Yes. And likewise they had this exchange regarding each and every item. They said to him: If so, why doesn’t the Tabernacle stand? Moses was pained by this situation, until the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: Because you were pained that you took no action and you took no part in the Tabernacle project, that is why those wise men were unable to erect it. It is for your sake, so that all Israel will know that if it does not stand through your actions, it will never stand. Moses said: Master of the Universe, I do not know how to erect it. God said to him: Engage with your hands and go through the motions of erecting it, and it will stand on its own, but I will write about you that you erected it. (Tanĥuma, Pekudei)