I'M BASICALLY A GOOD GUY

An almost overlooked aspect of the sidra is Sodom. True the city is forever known from ancient times as a place associated with depraved behavior. Yet what did the residents of Sodom think of themselves?

True to their reputation the Torah twice Bereshith 13:13 where the population of Sodom is called “ . . .evil and very sinful” Rashi ZT’L ZY’A comments how incongruous? How could Lot choose to dwell in Sodom when he split from Avraham?. Lot grew up under the influence of Avraham a household that placed a premium on generosity and hospitality for the xenophobic Sodom (see Baal HaTurim ZT’L ZY’A on 13:13). The contrast in values is stark. Further the Ohr HaChaim ZT’L ZY’A observes that despite a general lack of G-D awareness in the world at the time, which implies a general deterioration in humanity’s emulating G-D’s behavior. Yheudah Ya’aleh ZT’L ZY’A further observes G-D declared He would descend to Earth to see if the people of Sodom would continue to follow their sinful practices. G-D offered an opportunity for Sodom to return, reasoning the city’s sinfulness was rooted in an estranged relationship with-D. So if He cause the D-vine Presence, the Shechina to dwell among them the people of Sodom would change, they did not. In fact the Jerusalem Talmud in Bava Metzia cited by Torah Temimah compares the Sodomite society to the pre-flood era.

The negotiation between Avraham and G-D 18:23-33 when Avraham pleaded on behalf of Sodom was unable to find even ten persons in all five towns that made up the environs of Sodom. Early on during the night before G-D would destroy Sodom the men of Sodom surrounded Lot’s home demanding Lot turn over his guests to the mob for their pleasure and abuse (see 19:4-11). G-D brought about a miracle and Lot’s would be attackers were struck blind.

All this happened yet when Lot entreated his Sons-in-law to escape as the world they knew was going to end.. Lot’s Sons-in-law laughed at him (see 19:14).The Midrash Rabbah Bereshith 50:9 explains the sons-in-law were incredulous . How could music be playing in music halls and other venues throughout the city and everyone seem to be happy and content, there is no hint of looming disaster. Things were so prefect that the possibility of disaster was so remote observed Rabbi Alter Henoch Liebowitz ZT’L ZY’A the possibility of D-vinely orchestrated destruction was merely theoretical. Rabbi Leibowitz quantifies this episode of people being so caught up in their habitual expectations for their circumstances that a radical sudden change is not considered in any real manner.

With all due deference to my Rosh HaYeshiva, maybe there is even a deeper lesson conveyed within the Midrash. How could Lot’s Sons-in0Law ignore what had happened earlier? Nor if G-D’s presence had drawn closer to Sodom, how could G-D’s closeness be overlooked? Further, were they unaware how far Sodom had drifted away from G-Dly things and values . So the question remains how did the people of Sodom view themselves?

The Mishna in Pirkei Avot 5:10) categorizes there exist four types interpersonal relationships . “One who believes “what is mine is mine and what is yours is yours. Such a person is called average while others deem such a person is behaving like a citizen of Sodom . . . “Rashi commenting on this teaching understands the two interpretation s of this attitude that represent a continuum Certainly taking the point of view society be organized with the understanding that everybody respects each other and their property is at worst begin and at best a basis for mutual appreciation. However the opposite can happen , that each person becomes so protective of what belongs to him or her that each resident of Sodom becomes estranged and separated from each other. The common desire to respect each other’s person and property would imply the exclusion of outsiders sharing the city’s resource or those of its residents. There would be no expectation of kindness or compassion between Sodomites.

Indeed there could have existed varied levels at which the people subscribed to the Sodom worldview of leaving each other alone. To some this meant respect and to others a society devoid of compassion or kindness. Maybe this is what prompted Lot’s Sons-in-Law to laugh at their Father –in-Law. The Sons-in Law knew, there are extremists who believe self-protection is a license for violence. But what happened at Lot’s house was not representative of Sodom’s values. In Fact Sodom had appointed the Holy Avraham’s nephew as a Judge (see Rashi 19:1). So how bad could Sodom be? If there was a moral crisis within Sodom there would be debates and discourse not parties, music and celebration. Therefore how disaster be just a sunrise away?

This might be what the lesson of Sodom even someone deeply enmeshed in a corrupt society will seek out an underlying philosophy that at least in the abstract is praiseworthy. Additionally, a morally compromised society will appoint pseudo leadership whose presence if not substance creates an air of legitimacy to an unjust regime. Even in the face of utter breakdown of what binds people together as a society people will ignore the obvious and will cling to the familiar. Even when the world is coming to an end one cannot overcome one’s comfort level and not challenge themselves to repair the breech .

Therefore one must nurture a profound ever present faith so one can be open to G-D’s messages and not in a fool’s paradise. .