One of the many stories that we are told in this week's Torah portion is about the Tower of Babel. In an attempt to physically reach the heavens, the people try to build a tower, reaching all the way up to God. This angered God, who confused their languages so that the construction workers could not understand one another, preventing them from being able to reach God. Up until that point in biblical history, the entire world spoke one language. In context, the Tower of Babel can serve as an origin story explaining how and why there are so many different languages spoken all over the world. However, I believe that when we dig a bit deeper, there are many other valuable lessons it can teach us.

 

In relation to the story, one commentator suggested that even though everyone spoke the same language, that didn't necessarily mean that everyone was able to understand one another. Often times we think we are being clear, but find out later that our words were misinterpreted and misunderstood, or perhaps we were not as clear as we thought, creating problems. Speaking the same language and really being able to understand one another can be a tremendous source of cooperation and collaboration. On the other hand, if we don't understand one another and are unable to get on the same page, it can often lead to destruction. One of the things I think we can learn from the Tower of Babel is that language, and the way in which we communicate, is incredibly powerful. It has the opportunity to bring us closer together and unite us behind common values and goals. But language can also divide us and drive us further apart. May we all use language, and the many ways we communicate with each other and the world around us, to create blessings and unite us, bringing us closer to one another, Jewish community, tradition and God.