1)

Why did HaSh-m find it fitting to descend to see the Tower for Himself?

1.

To teach Dayanim not to declare a defendant guilty until they have seen for themselves whatever needs to be seen.

2.

Seforno: This is something that HaSh-m does when the act itself does not deserve the death-penalty, and it is only the end result that earns the death-penalty. 1


1

As we find by ben Sorer u'Moreh (See Sanhedrin, 72a) and by Sedom (later Bereishis 18:21), as the Seforno himself explains. Also refer to 11:1:2:4.

2)

Why does the Pasuk refer to the plotters as "the sons of Adam"?

1.

Rashi: Because, like Adam ha'Rishon, 1 who displayed ingratitude when he placed the blame of his sin upon Chavah, 2 so too, did the plotters, rebel against the One who had showered them with so much goodness and who rescued them (i.e. their grandfather Noach) from the Flood. 3


1

Thus, "Bnei ha'Adam" does not mean sons of man, rather, sons of Adam ha'Rishon.

2

Refer to 3:12:1:1.

3

This is why HaSh-m lowered the standard of living following the Dor ha'Palagah.

3)

Why does it say, "that they had built," before they actually built it?

1.

Moshav Zekenim: Intent of Resha'im [to sin] is considered like action.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

4)

Rashi writes: "'And HaSh-m descended to see...' - This teaches the judges not to convict until they have seen and understood." Was HaSh-m's descending to judge mankind visible to them? If not, from what were they to learn?

1.

Gur Aryeh: The lesson is from the expression written in the Torah; it would have been sufficient to write "And HaSh-m saw," for He is omniscient. The verse states, "And HaSh-m descended to see," to teach human judges who are not all-knowing, that they must exert themselves and investigate.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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