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Why does the Torah (תורה) praise Betzalel for having "da'as" alongside wisdom and understanding? Rashi (רש"י) explains da'as as Ruach HaKodesh, but the Rosh says it means understanding elementary logic. The shiur argues that da'as means common sense—a crucial quality even for those with mystical knowledge, because without grounded practical judgment, even the greatest Torah scholar is ineffective.
This shiur explores the Torah (תורה)'s description of Betzalel, the architect of the Mishkan, as possessing chochma (wisdom), tevunah (understanding), and da'as (knowledge). Rashi (רש"י) explains that da'as refers to Ruach HaKodesh (divine inspiration), while tevunah refers to skilled craftsmanship. However, the Rosh in his responsa offers a strikingly different interpretation: da'as means understanding the elementary principles of logic—knowing that the whole cannot be greater than the sum of its parts, that a part must be smaller than the whole, and similar basic logical axioms. This raises a significant difficulty. If the Torah is praising Betzalel's greatness by listing his exceptional qualities, why would it highlight something as seemingly basic as understanding elementary logic? After praising his chochma and tevunah, and even his Ruach HaKodesh, why mention such a fundamental level of knowledge?
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Parshas Ki Sisa - Betzalel's wisdom (Shemos 31:3)
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