“It was as they traveled from the east, and they found a valley in the land of Shinar and they settled there” (Genesis 11:2). “It was as they traveled from the east [mikedem]” – did they travel from the east to go to the east?14The valley of Shinar is also in the east. Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon said: They transported themselves away from the ancient One [mikadmono] of the world. They said: ‘We want neither Him nor His divinity.’
“They found a valley” – Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Neḥemya, Rabbi Yehuda says: All the nations of the world assembled to determine which valley could contain all of them, and ultimately, they found one [in Shinar]. Rabbi Neḥemya said: “They found” – “if it is to scoffers, he will scoff” (Proverbs 3:34).15According to Rabbi Neḥemya, God showed them the valley, leading to their downfall, as is His practice when dealing with scoffers and sinners.
“And they settled there” – Rabbi Yitzḥak said: Wherever you find settlement, Satan leaps.16He leaps at the opportunity to tempt man to sin. Rabbi Ḥelbo said: Wherever you find tranquility, Satan comes to act as accuser. Rabbi Levi said: Wherever you find [excessive] eating and drinking, Satan comes to act as accuser.