The Generation of Babel as the Fool Pounded in the Mortar

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Noach 24:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And the whole earth was of one language" (Genesis 11:1). What is written above, concerning the matter? "These are the families of the sons of Noah" (there, 10:32), and afterward, "And the whole earth was of one language." Solomon said: "Though you pound the fool in a mortar [among the grain with a pestle, his folly will not depart from him]" (Proverbs 27:22). One who strikes the fool—while he is raising the rod to strike him a second time, he forgets the first blow. "Among the grain with a pestle"—while he is raising it the first time, it is already forgotten. Even so, "his folly will not depart from him."

Themes

BabelDivine Judgment

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, NoachThe Tower of Babel Split in Three and the Word Come Turned Against Its BuildersWhen the generation of the dispersion raised its voice and cried, "Come, let us build ourselves a city," they imagined the word a summons of their own power. BuBook of JubileesThe Tower of Babel Built With Fire-Baked BrickThey're not messing around. The verse reads, "they began to build, and in the fourth week they made brick with fire, and the bricks served them for stone, and tBook of JubileesConfounding Language at Babel in the Book of JubileesThat disconnect, that inability to understand each other, it goes way back. Like, really way back. The Book of Jubilees, an ancient Jewish text that expands on Legends of the JewsNoah Warned Against Violating the Land BoundariesThey're about to begin a mission to rebuild the world, and the first order of business? Dividing the land. But not just any land – In Legends of the Jews, a monLegends of the JewsNimrod's Arrogance and the Tower of BabelForget the pyramids; It all goes back to Nimrod. Remember him? The mighty hunter, the king who, according to tradition, was the first to really consolidate poweLegends of the JewsA Year-Long Climb to the Top of the Tower of BabelYears blurring into decades, every thought, every action geared toward one monumental goal. That’s the story of the Tower of Babel, but not just the part The fa