Next month marks the 200th anniversary of the
birth of the Netziv, Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin.
The Netziv, has a unique understanding of the Tower of Babel
story, as described in Parshat Noach. The mistake made by the builders of
Migdal Bavel is expressed in the very first pasuk of the narrative (11:1):
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Now the entire earth
was of one language and uniform words.
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אוַיְהִי כָל הָאָרֶץ שָׂפָה אֶחָת וּדְבָרִים אֲחָדִים:
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The Netziv sees within this uniform language and common
purpose a problem in and of itself. As the Netziv puts it, the problem with the
builders of Migdal Bavel was not the specifics of what they said: (such as
blasphemy or ego or heresy as Rashi suggests). Rather the problem was that at
Migdal Bavel, there was only one voice, a singular way to think and to express
oneself. This, explains the Netziv is dangerous, even sinful.
The people at Migdal Bavel feared diversity. After the Flood
God’s plan entailed diversity: different families/ nations with different
languages living in their own lands. It is through diversity that God’s plan is
able to come to fruition: ie people serving God in different ways and people
learning from one another while maintaining their individuality and uniqueness.
Though
Rashi doesn’t quote it in his commentary, there is one Midrash that does
support the Netziv’s view. “Rabbi Eliezer said,”devarim achadim” is related
to the word chadim- ie sharp words.” For the people at Migdal Bavel
spoke sharply against God- and against Avraham. We have explained how
and why they spoke out against God, but what did Avraham do to them? According
to this Midrash they mocked Avraham, calling him “an old mule”- ie sterile and
without a future. Why did they expresse such vehemence against Avraham, who at
this time was 48 years old and had not even begun his divinely mandated
journey?
The
people of Migdal Bavel rejected and mocked Avraham because he stood for three
ideas which they despised. And it is this attitude that highlights the problem
of “one language, one purpose.”
Avraham stood for unity, not uniformity.
Avraham preaches a message of monotheism to all who would listen, and even to
those who were just interested in his hospitality. Yet Avraham’s goal was not
to make everyone exactly like him. In fact, when Avraham begins his journey
next week he leaves with Hanefesh Asher Asu B’Charan- those whom he had
influenced while in Charan. And that’s the last time we hear of them. They went
on to live their lives very different than Avraham- there was no uniformity.
But Avraham had accomplished his goal- a unity of disparate people that all
acknowledge and respect Hashem.
Avraham celebrated commonality. Not conformity.
Hashem promises Avraham that he will be an Av Hamon Goyim- the father of
a multitude of nations- NOT the father of one huge single nation. He had two
sons that he loved even though they were quite different. He is referred to as
the Av Hamon Goyim. He is promised that through him all the families of
the land will be blessed- they will maintain their uniqueness yet identify with
one land, just like it was Avraham’s hope that they would identify with one
God.
Avraham valued belonging, but he was not interested in
necessarily fitting in. He feels tremendous responsibility towards all
other human beings; that’s why he prays so hard for Sedom, that’s why he fights
so hard on behalf of the 5 kings. He belongs to the human race and takes that
role seriously and with responsibility. Yet Avraham remains HaIvri- the
other, different and unlike anyone else in his generation. He does not feel the
need to fit in to the rest of society, even as he takes the responsibility of
belonging very seriously.
The lesson of Migdal Bavel are lessons that we need to keep
in mind as a society, and especially as a Jewish community. Diversity is a
natural part of Hashem’s world order; we should embrace it and never try to
fight against it. Our goal should be unity – unity of goals, unity of values –
But not uniformity. We strive to find common ground but never demand
conformity. We must learn to appreciate the value of belonging to a group,
while not requiring that one has to “fit in all ways” in order to belong.
A society/ community built upon these values is not a Tower
of Babel, destined to be dismantled, but a shining example of what Hashem hopes
for from a community.
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