It is really called “The Tower of Babel,” but the reversal makes for an intriguing headline, and also reflects the current confounding confusion in Iraq a/k/a Babylon. Indeed, the very name “Babel” meant confusion back in Genesis (11:9). Today, too, babbling Babylonians, even UN envoys, try to blame, libel, manipulate and drag Israel into their quagmire, as ingrate rabblerousing clerics incite insurgent mobs to attack their liberators and benefactors.

Prisoner abuse is as obscene and repulsive as apathy to terror bombings killing innocents. But while our detractors don’t miss an opportunity to miss opportunities, let us utilize this occasion to acquaint ourselves with our Jewish historic Babylonian connections.

Actually, we’re no strangers to that part of the world; it is the place of our original roots, and we have vivid Babylon memories, both good and bad. Ur of the Chaldees in Southern Iraq was the birthplace of our ancestor Abraham, before G-d directed him to head west to Israel. Our First Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 422 B.CE by Babylon’s mighty Nebuchadnezzar, a cruel and evil tyrant whom Saddam Hussein considered his hero and model. We were exiled there for 70 years: “By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept as we remembered Zion” (Psalms 137) before returning with Ezra to Israel to rebuild the second Temple.

The city of Nineveh in northern Iraq is where Jonah the prophet (finally) fulfilled his Divine mission, and Ezekiel’s tomb still rises along the Tigris River near where he had prophesied. A strong, colorful and vibrant Sephardic Jewish community continued to live in Iraq until 1948 when Arab extremism forced them to flee for their lives.

While archaeologists lament the loss and looting of Babylon’s antiquities, the Jews have lovingly preserved and safeguarded their Babylonian heritage, carrying it with them throughout the Diaspora.

As we celebrate the Shavuoth Festival of Torah study, the Talmudic horizon fills with Babylonian landmarks and venues.

Major Torah communities flourished for a millennium along the Euphrates in the cities of Sura, Nehardea, Pumbeditha and Mehoza. These famous academies launched the renown “Talmud Bavli” still studied today in its original Aramaic. The Talmud embodies Jewish oral law, forming the foundation of successive generations’ of profound commentaries. To this day, sets of Babylonian Talmudic tractates are prominently displayed in synagogue libraries and are centerpieces that adorn Jewish homes.

Let’s be fair; there is also an easier and more straightforward “Talmud Yerushalmi” version that developed about the same time in Jerusalem. But the more complex and comprehensive Babylonian Talmud prevailed, and is accepted as the final authority.

In contrast to the Jerusalem Talmud, the Babylonian Talmud scrutinizes each detail of the law and subjects it to extensive analysis. It thrives on debate, questions and answers, arguments and counter arguments, relentlessly challenging every detail until it achieves clarity and resolution.

The Babylonian Talmud epitomizes a rigorous intellectual process that opens the discussion with serious questions. The student is initially confronted by a barrage of problems and arguments, in the end working out a way to discover the answers.

The Babylonian Talmudic style teaches us how to respond to bewilderment and confusion: Rather than go into denial and pretend that all is well understood, Talmud Bavli teaches us to rise to the challenge.

We channel the initial turbulence into a springboard and catalyst to dig deeper to find unity and consistency. Life can be chaotic, but diligence allows us to arrive at a conclusion that makes all the arduous effort worthwhile.

May G-d give us the strength to cope with our personal and global challenges, and may we learn to deal with the contradictions and dilemmas surrounding us. May Divine Providence guide us all through the turbulence, and bless Israel and the world with a true and lasting peace, the final Redemption when our trials and tribulations will finally make sense.

Caption: Illuminated title page of a 500 year old Babylonian Talmud printed in Amsterdam.