Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was the city called Bavel (Babel)?
A: The city was called Bavel (Babel) because Hashem 'confused' (בָּלַל - 'balal') the language of the people there, causing them to speak different languages. This event is described in the story of the Tower of Bavel (Genesis 11:1-9). Rashi explains that the name reflects the confusion and scattering that took place there.
Q: What was the sin of the people at the Tower of Bavel?
A: According to the Midrash and Talmud (Sanhedrin 109a), the people at the Tower of Bavel rebelled against Hashem by attempting to build a tower to 'reach the heavens.' Their sin was arrogance and defiance of Hashem’s will, as they sought to unify against Him rather than fulfill their purpose of spreading throughout the earth (Genesis 9:1).
Q: How does the story of Bavel apply to us today?
A: The story teaches the dangers of arrogance and human pride. The Rambam (Hilchos De'os 2:3) emphasizes humility as a key Jewish value. Additionally, the scattering of languages reminds us that diversity is part of Hashem’s plan, and unity should be for a holy purpose, not rebellion.
Q: Why did Hashem scatter the people after confusing their language?
A: Hashem scattered the people to prevent them from continuing their rebellious plans. The Torah (Genesis 11:6) states that if they remained united in their defiance, nothing would be impossible for them—leading to greater corruption. The scattering ensured they would fulfill the commandment to 'fill the earth' (Genesis 9:1).
Q: What is the significance of language in the Bavel story?
A: Language represents unity and communication. Before Bavel, all people spoke one language, which they misused for rebellion. Hashem introduced multiple languages to humble humanity and teach that true unity must align with His will. The Talmud (Megillah 18a) also discusses how language shapes thought and morality.
The Naming of Bavel (Babel)
The verse states: "Therefore is the name of it called Bavel, because there Hashem confounded the language of all the earth, and from there Hashem scattered them abroad upon the face of all the earth" (Bereishit 11:9). The name "Bavel" (בבל) is derived from the root בלל (balal), meaning "to confuse" or "to mix," reflecting the divine intervention that caused the people's language to become confounded.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Bereishit 11:9) explains that the name Bavel is a play on words, connecting it to the confusion (בלבול, bilbul) of languages. He notes that the people of the generation of the Dispersion (Dor Haflagah) had united in rebellion against Hashem by building the Tower of Bavel to wage war against Him. In response, Hashem "confounded their speech" so they could no longer understand one another, leading to their dispersal.
The Midrashic Perspective
The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 38:9) elaborates on the sin of the generation, stating that their unity was not for a righteous purpose but for defiance. They sought to build a tower to "make a name for themselves" (Bereishit 11:4), rejecting Hashem's sovereignty. The Midrash compares their actions to rebels attempting to dethrone a king, emphasizing that their punishment—confusion and dispersal—was measure for measure.
Rambam's Insight
Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 1:23) discusses the deeper theological error of the Tower builders. He explains that their sin was not merely architectural ambition but idolatrous hubris—they sought to centralize power and worship under a false ideology, akin to later pagan practices in Bavel. The confounding of languages was a divine intervention to prevent further corruption.
The Linguistic Punishment
The Talmud (Sanhedrin 109a) describes how the people were punished with seventy languages, corresponding to the seventy nations descended from Noach. This fragmentation of speech symbolizes the breakdown of their misguided unity. The Maharal (Gur Aryeh on Bereishit 11:9) adds that language is the foundation of human cooperation, and its confusion was a direct response to their misuse of unity for evil.
Lessons from the Episode