Tower of Babel: Rebellion
Tower of Babel: Rebellion

A rebellion is sometimes fought against a ruling regime. A rebellion is at times also waged against G-d. The

Man may choose to build towers and honor himself for his achievements or he can honor the Creator who has given him the tools to achieve them.

 episode of the Dor HaPlaga, Generation of the Tower of Babel, described in Parashat Noach establishes a precedent for the latter.

Throughout history, revolts have most often taken place because of poverty. When one is lacking, one seeks to ameliorate the sufferings of hunger by forcibly replacing a regime that will hopefully better provide. Ideas are as a catalyst for change, but hunger usually speaks much louder than any words.

Conversely, a revolt against G-d takes place amid times of plenty.

Following the description of the generations following Noah’s emergence from the ark, the Torah states that the new society settled in the valley of Shinar. (Bereshit 11:2) There, as one united entity, amid the bountiful plains of the Fertile Crescent the people planted, and benefitted from the immense productivity of the land.

Then they defiantly decided to honor themselves by making bricks and building a tower, as stated, “with its’ top in the heavens- and let us make a name for ourselves.” Bereshit 11:4 The towering edifice would signify their self confidence in their own prowess as the masters of their destiny. The people of that generation revolted against Hashem, G-d,  by perceiving that they themselves possessed the abilities to successfully produce the bounty from which they thrived. They thought they could do it all on their own and acted upon that belief by constructing a tower! As a result, Hashem would throw them out from their homes and force them from their unified society. The exiles of that generation would become a conglomeration of different entities speaking different languages.

The Midrash, Sifri, states that the Dor HaPlagah revolted against Hashem out of abundance, the word “dwelling” in the fertile plains of Shinar, (Bereshit 11:4) implies that they were also partaking of the land’s abundance. Likewise at Mount Sinai before the sin of the Golden Calf, the people were satiated, the Torah states, “The people sat to eat and drink and then they got up to revel.” Shemot 32:6

As the Jews were soon to enter the Promised Land, the Torah admonishes. “Lest you eat and be satisfied, and you build good houses and settle, and your cattle and sheep and goats increase, and you increase silver and gold for yourselves, and everything you have will increase-and your heart will become haughty and you will forget Hashem your G-d, who took you out of Egypt from the house of slavery.”  Devarim 9:12-15

“And you may say in your heart, my strength and the might of my hand made me all this wealth.” Devarim 9:17

Settled in their land, when Bnei Yisrael, the Jewish people, did not heed these repeated admonitions, and turned their backs on Hashem, they would face the attacks of their enemies. Then they would call out to Hashem for deliverance.

Throughout history, Jews did not cease to show reverence to their Creator during eras of deprivation. The Jews of the Ghettos in their suffering turned to Hashem. They accepted their predicament and their lot as they humbly beseeched Hashem’s mercy. It was when the ghetto walls were opened in parts of Europe, in the aftermath of the era of enlightenment, and Jews found success within the societies in which they were once forbidden, that they would revel in their newfound affluence and often forget their Creator by abandoning their Jewish traditions.

A message for Israel and all mankind.

With success and constantly improving technology, man may choose to build towers and honor himself for his glowing achievements or he can honor the Creator who has given him the tools for advancement.