THE CHOCHMAH USED TO MAKE THE UPPER CURTAINS
What were the clasps in the loops?
Rashi: Two sets of five curtains were sewn together, along their length. There were loops on the end of each set; the clasps joined them together in the middle of the Mishkan.
What is the significance that the loops could be seen in the Mishkan?
Maharal: This hints that Ma'ase ha'Mishkan was equal to Ma'ase Shamayim and Eretz. It says here "va'Yhi. ba'Yom ha'Shemini", and it says there "va'Yhi. Erev va'Yhi. Voker" (Bamidbar Rabah 12). The Mishkan, about which it says "va'Yhi. ba'Yom ha'Shemini", resembles the existence of the world. It is above Ma'ase Bereishis, which was in seven days.
What is the source that the upper curtains required more Chochmah?
Rashi: "Nasa Liban."
Rav Elyashiv: They spun the [hair needed for] the curtains while attached to the goats (Rashi. Shemos 35:26). Why was this needed? Tif'eres Yonason (Aivshitz) says, it was so it will not receive Tum'ah. The Rambam (Hilchos Tum'as Ochelin 2:6) says that a living being, or wool attached to it, is not Mekabel Tum'ah. They did not do so for the lower curtains, for they needed to be dyed, and this could not be done while attached, for the wool keeps growing (and the new wool is not dyed). (NOTE: The Vilna Gaon says that Sukos is on Tishrei. 15, for then Yisrael started building the Mishkan, and Ananei. ha'Kavod, which departed after the Egel, returned. Since Moshe ascended on Thursday and descended on Monday (Yom Kipur), the 15th was Shabbos! Perhaps they spun abnormally, so they could do so on Shabbos! - PF)
What is the significance that the upper curtains required more Chochmah?
Ha'Boneh: "Mah Yisron la'Adam b'Chol Amalo she'Ya'amol Tachas ha'Shamesh" - Chazal expounded, there is an advantage above the sun (learning Torah Lishmah). The lower curtains showed great Chochmah - there were nice pictures and colors. Even so, the upper curtains required more Chochmah, even though they were less esteemed. So man gathers wealth in this world, called a Chacham, but one who works in the upper world (Torah) is greater. This is like Munvaz said, they stored up below, and I. stored up above.
Iyun Yakov: A hint [that they required more Chochmah] is "Chochmos ba'Chutz Taronah" (the upper curtains were on the outside).