Midrash sa Exodo 35:22: Midrash Tanchuma, Bamidbar Rabbah & Shemot Rabbah

Another explanation of He draweth not His eyes from the righteous. At the time that Moses came and told the Israelites: Take ye from among ye an offering unto the Lord (Exod. 35:5), they rejoiced exceedingly and brought their free-will offering with joy and eagerness. Notice that it is written: And they came both men and women (ibid., v. 22); that is to say, in their eagerness they pressed against each other. The men and women came as a huge throng when they brought their gifts, as it is said: All the women that were wise-hearted (ibid., v. 25).

“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).

Another matter: “See, the Lord has called by name Betzalel” – that is what is written: “I will heal their waywardness; I will love them gratuitously [nedava]” (Hosea 14:5). What is written previously? “The children of Israel brought it as a freewill offering [nedava] to the Lord” (Exodus 35:29). Thereafter, “See, the Lord has called by name, Betzalel.”¹⁵Why does the verse first relate that they brought all the materials and only afterward mention that Betzalel was in charge? It is, that when they crafted the calf, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “Now let Me be…[and I will eradicate them]” (Exodus 32:10). He said to Him: ‘Test them; have them craft the Tabernacle.’ What is written in that iniquity? “Remove the gold rings” (Exodus 32:2). What did they bring? They brought rings.¹⁶They donated gold rings for the construction of the Golden Calf. When they crafted the Tabernacle they brought it as a freewill offering. What is written? “Everyone generous of heart brought a bracelet, an earring, a ring, and a girdle” (Exodus 35:22). With rings they sinned and with rings He was reconciled with them. The Divine Spirit called out through Hosea: “It will be that instead of it being said to them: You are not My people, it will be said to them: Children of the living God” (Hosea 2:1). Moses said before the Holy One blessed be He: ‘You wrote: “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox” (Exodus 21:37). They brought five: Bracelet, earring, ring, nose ring, and girdle.”’