That, according to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, is precisely what happened at the Tower of Babel.
The story goes that the builders of the Tower, all speaking the same language, suddenly found themselves unable to communicate. They wished to speak in the language of their fellow, the text tells us, but understanding failed. Frustration boiled over. What did they do? They drew their swords. They fought to destroy each other. Half the world, it says, fell there by the sword. And from that chaos, God scattered them across the face of the earth. As it says in Genesis 11:8, "So the Lord scattered them abroad on that account, upon the face of all the earth." Talk about a communication breakdown!
But Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer doesn't stop there. It segues into another fascinating, and frankly, bizarre tale – one involving Esau, Jacob, and the coveted garments of Nimrod.
Rabbi Meir offers a captivating interpretation: Esau, brother of Jacob, saw Nimrod’s coats (presumably garments of power or significance) and coveted them. He was so overcome with desire, that he slew Nimrod and seized them. How do we know they were desirable? Because, as it says, "And Rebecca took the precious raiment of Esau, her elder son" (Genesis 27:15). These weren't just any clothes!
The text continues, suggesting that when Esau donned these garments, he himself became a mighty hero. "And Esau was a cunning hunter" (Genesis 25:27), it says, implying the clothes played a part in his prowess. It's like a superhero origin story, but with ancient outerwear!
Now, here's where it gets even more interesting. When Jacob left his father Isaac's presence, he declared that Esau, "the wicked one," was unworthy to wear these coats. So what did Jacob do? He dug a hole and hid them, as it says, "A noose is hid for him in the earth" (Job 18:10). A noose, a trap, a hidden destiny buried in the ground.
What are we to make of these two seemingly disparate stories juxtaposed in this way? Perhaps Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer is suggesting a connection between ambition, violence, and the loss of understanding. The builders of Babel sought to reach the heavens, Esau coveted Nimrod’s power. Both desires led to conflict and scattering. And what of Jacob's act of hiding the garments? Was it an act of righteousness, preventing Esau from wielding their power? Or was it a selfish act, burying potential for good along with the bad?
These ancient texts often leave us with more questions than answers, don't they? Maybe that's the point. To make us think, to make us question, and to remind us that even the oldest stories can still resonate with our modern struggles.