Êxodo 35:27 Midrash: Vayikra Rabbah, Midrash Tanchuma, Bamidbar Rabbah & Shemot Rabbah

Rabbi Tanḥuma began: “There is gold, and an abundance of gems, but lips of knowledge are a precious vessel” (Proverbs 20:15) – the way of the world is that a person who has gold, silver, jewels, gems, and all the objects of desire in the world, but he does not have goodness and wisdom, what acquisition does he have? The parable says: If you acquired knowledge what do you lack; if you lack knowledge, what have you acquired? “There is gold” – everyone brought his gift of gold to the Tabernacle. That is what is written: “This is the gift [you shall take from them: gold]” (Exodus 25:3). “An abundance of gems” – this is the gift of the princes, as it is stated: “The princes brought [the onyx stones and the stones for setting for the ephod and for the breast piece]” (Exodus 35:27). “But lips of knowledge are a precious vessel” – Moses’s soul was despondent, and he said: Everyone brought his gift offering for the Tabernacle, but I did not bring; so the Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘As you live, your speech is dearer to me than all of it,’ as from all of them, the divine speech called only to Moses: “He called to Moses.”

Because the leaders were slow to bring their gifts, a letter is omitted from their names. Thus in Scripture the word for leader lacks one yod.¹⁸The yod, which comprises half of the name of God, was removed to indicate their slothfulness. Later, however, they helped in the work of the Tabernacle, joining Bezalel and Oholiab in their labors and the wise men in their work, as is said: And every wise-hearted man that wrought (Exod. 36:8). And the women spun the purple curtains, as is said: And all the women whose hearts stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair (ibid. 35:26).

“The princes of Israel, the heads of their patrilineal houses, brought offerings; they were the princes of the tribes, they were those who stood over those who were counted” (Numbers 7:2).
“The princes of Israel…brought offerings” – why did the princes rush to come and sacrifice first, but for the labor of the Tabernacle they were indolent and brought only onyx stones and stones for setting, last? It is because when Moses said: Anyone who is generous of heart shall bring the gift of the Lord for the labor of the Tabernacle, but he did not say it to the princes, they were displeased that he did not tell them to bring. They said: Let the people bring what they will bring, and we will complete what is lacking. All Israel rejoiced over the labor of the Tabernacle and joyfully brought every donation enthusiastically. See what is written: “The men came together with the women” (Exodus 35:22), that they would crowd each other, and the men and the women would come in a muddled throng, and in two mornings they brought all the donations, as it is stated: “They brought him more donations morning after morning” (Exodus 36:3), and it is written: “And the material was sufficient…” (Exodus 36:7). After two days, the princes sought to bring their donation, but they were unable to do so, as Moses already commanded: “They circulated a proclamation in the camp, [saying: Man or woman shall not perform any more labor for the gifts of the Sanctuary, and the people ceased bringing]” (Exodus 36:6). The princes were lamenting the fact that they did not have the privilege of participating in the donations for the Tabernacle. They said: Since we did not have the privilege of participating in the donations for the Tabernacle, we will donate the vestments of the High Priest. That is what is written: “The princes brought the onyx stones [and the stones for setting for the ephod and for the breastplate]” (Exodus 35:27).
The Holy One blessed be He said: Regarding My children who were alacritous, it will be written that they brought and there was more than enough. The princes [hanesiim], who were indolent, He removed one letter from their title, as “hanesiim” (Exodus 35:27) is written without a yod. Once the Tabernacle was completed, they came early and brought an offering with alacrity. That is what is written: “The princes of Israel brought…” – they said: This is the time to sacrifice offerings joyfully, as the Divine Presence rested upon our handiwork. Once the Tabernacle was crafted and nothing was lacking, they said: What can we bring? They went and brought carts upon which they could carry the Tabernacle. Who gave them that counsel? It was the tribe of Issachar. This is what they said to them: Does the Tabernacle that you crafted float in the air? Rather, pledge carts upon which you could carry it. That is why it is written: “The princes of Israel brought,” as they regretted what they had done initially.
“The princes of Israel” – I hear that they were commoners and were appointed? The verse states: “The heads of their patrilineal houses.” Not only the heads of a patrilineal house, but even the princes of a tribe. That is what is written: “They were the princes of the tribes” – princes the sons of princes. “They were the princes of the tribes” – it is they who were appointed over them in Egypt: “The foremen of the children of Israel…were beaten…” (Exodus 5:14). “They were those who stood over those who were counted” – over the count of the banners, just as it says: “And with you shall be a man for each tribe…” (Numbers 1:4).