Path
icons8-right_arrow
      Liquid error (sections/custom_mobile-menu line 86): Expected handle to be a String but got LinkListDrop
  • Group 27 Login

NOAH
The Tower of Babylon
Unity Not Uniformity

The story of the Tower of Babel, appears in the weekly portion of Noah and is one of the wonderous stories of the Torah. It reveals to us the secret of the dispersion of human culture. The Torah describes that a generation after humanity had inundated the world with violence and larceny resulting in a flood of self-destruction, attempts to build a tower to prevent the next flood. 

What is the connection between the Tower of Babel and preventing the flood? The Midrash suggests that they wanted to build a pillar that would support the firmament and prevent it from collapsing and flooding the world again. Clearly, the Torah will not tell us a story so childish without underlying intentions. 

The intention is that they realized that violence arises because humans are different from each other. Therefore, the totalitarian idea arose with the aim of creating a unified humanity. How do you create unified humanity? By having everyone engage in the same thing. Everyone, together, will build a tower. People will be born during the construction of the tower, and they will die, without ever seeing the structure finished. In other words, it is about a human society where the individual has become of no consequence but sees only value in the collective.

This is expressed in the Midrashic work of Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer. There we read: "When a person fell to their death from the tower during construction, no one paid attention to him. However,  if a brick fell and broke, everyone cried and said:, ‘How long is necessary for it be replaced?’

We can clearly learn from the outcome that their attempt failed. The idea of creating a humanity where there are no differences between identities, nor different cultures, nor different personalities - will ultimately, despite all the good intentions behind it, creates some kind of hell. 

Subsequently, after the fall of the Tower, there is another attempt made to unify men. Albeit, this attempt is only hinted to in the Torah and was made by a fellow named Ashur. As it is written: “From that land, Ashur went out”. Rashi says, since Ashur saw that his sons had rebelled, in the place where they obeyed Nimrod to build the tower, he left them and went out on his own. We see that this man, Ashur, the founder of the Assyrian nation, is actually a righteous man. He rejected the notion that individuals do not matter. We might ask- why was he then not elected to found a chosen people to redeem humanity?

The answer is very simple. The Assyrians did rebel against Nimrod, but they built Nineveh. Nineveh is the alternative to Babel, but "but in Ninveh there is Babel too." In other words, often the rebel wants to be the ruler himself. Therefore, he will sometimes turn into, a ruler more difficult than the tyrant he fought to overthrow.

We learn that only after all these attempts took place, of the wonderful figure of our forefather, Abraham, appears. The Torah says of him- "And in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Abraham's task is not to impose his identity over all humanity but, on the contrary, he means to be a meeting point for all humanity. 

This is the beautiful concept of "a chosen people from all the nations." The goal is that all nations should feel that there is this central point that radiates good upon all, without demanding them to change. The lesson is unity and oneness but not uniformity. Oneness, means that all the different individuals remain in their diversity but connect to a central point with love.

PRACTICAL ACTION - JOIN THIS BIG MISSION

More Weekly Portions

Seeking Tranquility
The Messianic Aspiration of Jacob

"In Jacob's quest for personal tranquility, juxtaposed with Joseph's visionary dreams, the narrative unveils a perpetual struggle. The tension between individual serenity and catalyzing global change emerges as a central theme. As Joseph rises beyond familial opposition, his dreams illuminate a path to global sustenance and enlightenment. This ancient saga prompts reflection on the perennial question: Must one sacrifice personal peace for transformative impact?"

Beyond Fear, The Evolution of Jacob into Israel
Unveiled the soul of the Hebrew identity.

Vayishlach delves into the evolution of Jewish identity, tracing Jacob's transformative journey towards becoming Israel. Departing from the previous portion, where Jacob goes into exile, this narrative centers on his return and the intricate process of identity transition. The text emphasizes the importance of grappling with political challenges as a prerequisite for embodying the identity of 'Israel,' who contends with God and men.

A crucial moment unfolds in Jacob's encounter with Esau, where fear takes a central role. Rashi's commentary sheds light on the dual nature of Jacob's fear—fearing potential harm to himself and the prospect of causing damage to others. This nuanced fear reflects the lingering influence of an exile's moral code, which hinders the ability to confront and defeat the enemy.

While Jacob still grapples with a real enemy in the incident of Shechem, his sons understand the necessary course of action for existence in the Land of Israel. The narrative concludes with Jacob returning to Bethel, having acquired the conviction required by the Jews of the Land of Israel—a level exemplified by one who knows how to fight to defend themselves and their Land.

Click here and take real steps in your life today to actively participate in the ongoing narrative of the Hebrew people, to ensure a better future for the world

The Enigmatic Exodus
Unraveling Jacob's Journey Beyond Israel

"In the biblical saga, Jacob's sojourn beyond Israel unfolds a compelling tale of moral tests, sibling rivalry, and redemptive transformations. Laban's deceit challenges Jacob's integrity, but through the births of Reuben, Dan, Gad, and Joseph, a journey of moral correction emerges. This narrative, emblematic of the broader exile experience, explores themes of birthright, virtue, and familial bonds. How does Jacob's odyssey shape our understanding of moral precedence and familial dynamics? Dive into the intricate layers of this timeless saga."

"Crafted in exile, Jacob's journey unfolds a saga of moral trials, sibling strife, and redemptive transformation. Laban's deceit challenges Jacob's integrity, but the births of Reuben, Dan, Gad, and Joseph bring a narrative of moral correction. This tale, emblematic of broader exile experiences, delves into birthright, virtue, and familial bonds. How does Jacob's odyssey shape our understanding of moral precedence and familial dynamics? Does the disappearance of Reuben, Dan, Gad, and Joseph influence the definition of birthright and morality in the Jewish consciousness? Explore the intricate layers of this timeless saga, unveiling new perspectives on legal and familial life in the Bible."

Search