Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

We begin this aliyah right after Sarah Imeinu, out of fear, denies that she laughed when she heard the news of having a child. Hashem corrects her, establishing the absolute truth. Right after this, the malachim set out toward Sodom, and Avraham Avinu, in his tremendous hachnasas orchim, walks along with them to escort them on their way.

Then, Hashem reveals His plans to Avraham Avinu. Because Avraham is destined to become a great nation and will teach his children to keep the way of Hashem through tzedakah and mishpat, Hashem decides not to hide the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. This sets the stage for one of the most powerful and moving tefillos in the entire Torah.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

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Pasuk 1

וַתְּכַחֵשׁAnd she deniedשָׂרָהSarahלֵאמֹרsayingלֹאI did notצָחַקְתִּיlaughכִּיforיָרֵאָהshe was afraidוַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidלֹאNoכִּיbutצָחָקְתְּ׃you did laugh

רַשִׁ״י

כיforיראהshe was afraidוגו'etc.כיbutצחקת.you did laughהָרִאשׁוֹןthe firstמְשַׁמֵּשׁservesלְשׁוֹןas the expressionדְּהָא,of becauseשֶׁנּוֹתֵןwhich givesטַעַםa reasonלַדָּבָרfor the matterוַתְּכַחֵשׁand she deniedשָׂרָהSarah–לְפִיbecauseשֶׁיָּרְאָה;that she fearedוְהַשֵּׁנִיand the secondמְשַׁמֵּשׁservesבִּלְשׁוֹןin the expressionאֶלָּא,of butוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidלֹאnotכִדְבָרֵךְlike your wordהוּאit isאֶלָּאbutצָחַקְתְּ,you did laughשֶׁאָמְרוּas they saidרַבּוֹתֵינוּour Rabbisכִּיthe word כימְשַׁמֵּשׁservesבְּאַרְבַּעin fourלְשׁוֹנוֹת,meaningsאִי,ifדִּלְמָא,perhapsאֶלָּא,butדְּהָא:because

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Pasuk 2

וַיָּקֻמוּAnd they aroseמִשָּׁםfrom thereהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menוַיַּשְׁקִפוּand they lookedעַלuponפְּנֵיthe face ofסְדֹםSodomוְאַבְרָהָםand Avrahamהֹלֵךְwas walkingעִמָּםwith themלְשַׁלְּחָם׃to escort them

רַשִׁ״י

וישקיפו.And they glancedכָּלeveryהַשְׁקָפָהglancingשֶׁבַּמִּקְרָאthat is in Scriptureלְרָעָהis for evilחוּץexceptמֵהַשְׁקִיפָהfrom look forthמִמְּעוֹןfrom the habitation ofקָדְשְׁךָYour holinessדבריםDevarimכ"ו26,שֶׁגָּדוֹלfor great isכֹּחַthe power ofמַתְּנוֹתgifts ofעֲנִיִּיםthe poorשֶׁהוֹפֵךthat it turnsמִדַּתthe attribute ofהָרֹגֶזangerלְרַחֲמִים:to mercy

רַשִׁ״י

לשלחם.to send themלְלַוּוֹתָם;to escort themכַּסָּבוּרas he thoughtאוֹרְחִיםguestsהֵם:they were

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Pasuk 3

וַיהֹוָהAnd HashemאָמָרsaidהַמְכַסֶּהShall I hideאֲנִיIמֵאַבְרָהָםfrom Avrahamאֲשֶׁרthat whichאֲנִיIעֹשֶׂה׃am doing

רַשִׁ״י

המכסהShall I hideאני.Iבִּתְמִיהָ:in wonder

רַשִׁ״י

אשרthatאניIעושהam doingבִּסְדוֹם.in Sodomלֹאnotיָפֶהproperלִיfor Meלַעֲשׂוֹתto doדָּבָרthingזֶהthisשֶׁלֹּאwithoutמִדַּעְתּוֹ.his knowledgeאֲנִיIנָתַתִּיgaveלוֹto himאֶת—הָאָרֶץthe landהַזֹּאת,thisוַחֲמִשָּׁהand fiveכְּרַכִּיןcitiesהַלָּלוּtheseשֶׁלּוֹhisהֵן,they areשֶׁנֶּאֱמַר:as it is saidגְּבוּלthe boundary ofהַכְּנַעֲנִיthe Canaaniteמִצִּידֹןfrom Sidonבֹּאֲכָהas you goסְדֹמָהtoward Sodomוַעֲמֹרָהand Gomorrahוְגוֹ'etc.בראשיתBereshisי'10.קָרָאתִיI calledאוֹתוֹhimאַבְרָהָםAvraham–אַבfather ofהֲמוֹןa multitude ofגּוֹיִם,nationsוְאַשְׁמִידand should I destroyאֶת—הַבָּנִיםthe childrenוְלֹאand notאוֹדִיעַinformלָאָב,the fatherשֶׁהוּאwho isאוֹהֲבִי?my beloved

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Pasuk 4

וְאַבְרָהָםand Avrahamהָיוֹsurelyיִהְיֶהwill becomeלְגוֹיa nationגָּדוֹלgreatוְעָצוּםand mightyוְנִבְרְכוּand shall bless themselvesבוֹin himכֹּלallגּוֹיֵיthe nations ofהָאָרֶץ׃the earth

רַשִׁ״י

ואברהםAnd Avrahamהיוsurelyיהיה.shall becomeמִ"אַ:from hereזֵכֶרthe mention ofצַדִּיקa righteous manלִבְרָכָה,is for a blessingהוֹאִילsinceוְהִזְכִּירוֹand He mentioned him–בֵּרְכוֹ.He blessed himוּפְשׁוּטוֹ:And its plain meaningוְכִיis it thatמִמֶּנּוּfrom himאֲנִיIמַעֲלִים,am concealingוַהֲרֵיand beholdהוּאheחָבִיבis belovedלְפָנַיbefore Meלִהְיוֹתto becomeלְגוֹיinto a nationגָּדוֹלgreatוּלְהִתְבָּרֵךand to bless themselvesבּוֹthrough himכָּלallגּוֹיֵיthe nations ofהָאָרֶץ.the earth

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Pasuk 5

כִּיForיְדַעְתִּיוI have known himלְמַעַןso thatאֲשֶׁרwhichיְצַוֶּהhe will commandאֶת—בָּנָיוhis childrenוְאֶתand —בֵּיתוֹhis householdאַחֲרָיוafter himוְשָׁמְרוּand they will keepדֶּרֶךְthe way ofיְהוָהHashemלַעֲשׂוֹתto doצְדָקָהrighteousnessוּמִשְׁפָּטand justiceלְמַעַןin orderהָבִיאto bringיְהוָהHashemעַלuponאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאֵת—אֲשֶׁרthat whichדִּבֶּרHe spokeעָלָיו׃concerning him

רַשִׁ״י

כיForידעתיו.I know himלְשׁוֹןan expression ofחִבָּה,affectionכְּמוֹlikeמוֹדָעa kinsmanלְאִישָׁהּof her husbandרותRuthב'chapter 2,הֲלֹאIs notבֹעַזBoazמֹדַעְתָּנוּour kinsmanשםthereג'chapter 3,וָאֵדָעֲךָand I distinguished youבְּשֵׁםby nameשמותShemosל"גchapter 33.וְאָמְנָםAnd indeedעִקַּרthe primary meaningלְשׁוֹןof the expressionכֻּלָּםof all of themאֵינוֹis notאֶלָּאbutלְשׁוֹןan expression ofיְדִיעָה,knowingשֶׁהַמְחַבֵּבfor one who lovesאֶת—הָאָדָםthe personמְקָרְבוֹdraws him closeאֶצְלוֹto himselfוְיוֹדְעוֹand knows himוּמַכִּירוֹ,and is familiar with himוְלָמָּהAnd whyיְדַעְתִּיו?do I know him

רַשִׁ״י

למעןIn orderאשרthatיצוה.he will commandלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat heמְצַוֶּהcommandsאֶת—בָּנָיוhis childrenעָלַיconcerning Meלִשְׁמֹרto keepדְּרָכַי.My waysוְאִםand ifתְּפָרְשֵׁהוּyou explain itכְתַרְגּוּמוֹ,like its TargumיוֹדֵעַknowאֲנִיIבוֹof himשֶׁיְּצַוֶּהthat he will commandאֶת—בָּנָיוhis childrenוְגוֹ',etceteraאֵיןnotלְמַעַןin orderנוֹפֵלfitsעַלuponהַלָּשׁוֹן:the phrasing

רַשִׁ״י

יצוה.He will commandלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofהוֹוֶה,continuous actionכְמוֹlikeכָּכָהthusיַעֲשֶׂהwould doאִיּוֹבIyovאיובIyovא'chapter 1:

רַשִׁ״י

למעןin order thatהביא.may bringכָּךְsoהוּאheמְצַוֶּהcommandsלְבָנָיו,his childrenשִׁמְרוּkeepדֶּרֶךthe way ofה'Hashemכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיָּבִיאthat He may bringה'HashemעַלuponאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוְגוֹ';etc.עַלuponבֵּיתthe house ofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamלֹאnotנֶאֱמַרit is saidאֶלָּאbut ratherעַלuponאַבְרָהָם,Avrahamלָמַדְנוּ,we learnכָּלwhoeverהַמַּעֲמִידraisesבֵּןa sonצַדִּיקrighteousכְּאִלוּit is as ifאֵינוֹhe is notמֵת:dead

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Pasuk 6

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd Hashem saidיְהוָהHashemזַעֲקַתthe outcry ofסְדֹםSedomוַעֲמֹרָהand Amorahכִּיbecauseרָבָּהit is greatוְחַטָּאתָםand their sinכִּיbecauseכָבְדָהit is heavyמְאֹד׃very much

רַשִׁ״י

ויאמרAnd saidה'.HashemאֶלtoאַבְרָהָםAvrahamשֶׁעָשָׂהthat He didכַּאֲשֶׁרasאָמַר,He saidשֶׁלֹּאthat notיְכַסֶּהHe would concealמִמֶּנּוּ:from him

רַשִׁ״י

כיBecauseרבה.it is greatכָּלeveryרַבָּהrabahשֶׁבַּמִּקְרָאthat is in Scriptureהַטַּעַםthe accentלְמַטָּהis belowבַּבֵּי"ת,on the Beisלְפִיbecauseשֶׁהֵןthat theyמְתֻרְגָּמִיןare translatedגְּדוֹלָה,greatאוֹorגְּדֵלָהbecoming greatוְהוֹלֶכֶת,and continuingאֲבָלbutזֶהthisטַעֲמוֹits accentלְמַעְלָהis aboveבָּרֵי"ש,on the Reishלְפִיbecauseשֶׁמְּתֻרְגָּםit is translatedגָדְלָהit became greatכְּבָרalreadyכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁפֵּרַשְׁתִּיI explainedוַיְהִיand it wasהַשֶּׁמֶשׁthe sunבָּאָה,had setהִנֵּהbeholdשָׁבָהhas returnedיְבִמְתֵּךְ:your sister-in-law

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Pasuk 7

אֵרֲדָהI will go downנָּאpleaseוְאֶרְאֶהand I will seeהַכְּצַעֲקָתָהּwhether according to her outcryהַבָּאָהthat comesאֵלַיto Meעָשׂוּthey have doneכָּלָהdestructionוְאִםand ifלֹאnotאֵדָעָה׃I will know

רַשִׁ״י

ארדהI will go downנא.nowלִמֵּדthis teachesלַדַּיָּנִיםthe judgesשֶׁלֹאthat they should notיִפְסְקוּdecideדִינֵיlaws ofנְפָשׁוֹתcapital casesאֶלָּאexceptבִרְאִיָּה,by seeingהַכֹּלallכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁפֵּרַשְׁתִּיI explainedבְפָרָשַׁתin the section ofהַפַּלָּגָה.the dispersionדָּבָרanotherאַחֵר,explanationאֵרְדָהI will go downנָאnowלְסוֹףto the end ofמַעֲשֵׂיהֶם:their deeds

רַשִׁ״י

הכצעקתה.whether like her cryשֶׁלofמְדִינָה:the country

רַשִׁ״י

הבאהwhich is comeאליunto Meעשו.they have doneוְכֵןand soעוֹמְדִיםthey persistבְּמִרְדָּם,in their rebellionכָּלָהan endאֲנִיIעוֹשֶׂהwill makeבָהֶם,of themוְאִםand ifלֹאnotיַעַמְדוּthey persistבְמִרְדָּןin their rebellionאֵדְעָהI shall knowמָהwhatאֶעֶשֶׂהI shall doלְהִפָּרַעto punishמֵהֶןthemבְּיִסּוּרִיןwith sufferingוְלֹאbut notאֲכַלֶּהI will destroyאוֹתָן.themוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבוֹto itמָצִינוּwe have foundבְּמָקוֹםin a placeאַחֵר,anotherוְעַתָּהand nowהוֹרֵדput offעֶדְיְךָyour ornamentsמֵעָלֶיךָfrom youוְאֵדְעָהthat I may knowמָהwhatאֶעֱשֶׂהI will doלָּךְto youשמותShemosל"ג33;וּלְפִיכָךְand thereforeיֵשׁthere isהֶפְסֵקa separationנְקֻדַּתthe mark ofפְּסִיקa pesikבֵּיןbetweenעָשׂוּthey have doneלְכָלָה,and kalahכְּדֵיin orderלְהַפְרִידto separateתֵּבָהa wordמֵחֲבֶרְתָּהּ.from its companionוְרַבּוֹתֵינוּand our Rabbisדָרְשׁוּexplainedהַכְּצַעֲקָתָהּthe cry of her–צַעֲקַתthe cry ofרִיבָהa girlאַחַתoneשֶׁהָרְגוּwhom they killedמִיתָהa deathמְשֻׁנָּהunnaturalעַלbecauseשֶׁנָּתְנָהshe gaveמָזוֹןfoodלְעָנִי,to a poor manכַּמְּפֹרָשׁas is explainedבְּחֵלֶק:in Chelek

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Pasuk 8

וַיִּפְנוּAnd they turnedמִשָּׁםfrom thereהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menוַיֵּלְכוּand they wentסְדֹמָהto Sodomוְאַבְרָהָםand Avrahamעוֹדֶנּוּwas stillעֹמֵדstandingלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָה׃Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

ויפנוAnd they turnedמשם.from thereמִמָּקוֹםfrom the placeשֶׁאַבְרָהָםthat Avrahamלִוָּםaccompanied themשָׁם:there

רַשִׁ״י

ואברהםAnd Avrahamעודנוwas stillעומדstandingלפניbeforeה'.HashemוַהֲלֹאBut surelyלֹאnotהָלַךְdid he goלַעֲמֹדto standלְפָנָיו,before Himאֶלָּאratherהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneבָּאcameאֶצְלוֹto himוְאָמַרand saidלוֹ,to himזַעֲקַתthe cry ofסְדֹםSedomוַעֲמֹרָהand Amorahכִּיbecauseרָבָּה,it is greatוְהָיָהand it wasלוֹfor Himלִכְתֹּבto write"וַה'and Hashemעוֹדֶנּוּwas stillעוֹמֵדstandingעַלoverאַבְרָהָם"?Avrahamאֶלָּאratherתִּקּוּןan emendation ofסוֹפְרִיםthe Scribesהוּאitזֶהis thisאֲשֶׁרwhichהֲפָכוּהוּthey reversed itרַזִ"לִour Sagesלִכְתֹּבto writeכֵּןthusבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

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Pasuk 9

וַיִּגַּשׁAnd drew nearאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוַיֹּאמַרand saidהַאַףwill indeedתִּסְפֶּהYou destroyצַדִּיקrighteousעִםwithרָשָׁע׃wicked

רַשִׁ״י

ויגשAnd he drew nearאברהם.Avrahamמָצִינוּwe findהַגָּשָׁהdrawing nearלַמִּלְחָמָה,for warוַיִּגַּשׁand he drew nearיוֹאָבYoavוְגוֹ'etceteraשמואלShmuelבtwoי'ten,וְהַגָּשָׁהand drawing nearלְפִיוּסfor appeasementוַיִּגַּשׁand he drew nearאֵלָיוto himיְהוּדָה,Yehudahוְהַגָּשָׁהand drawing nearלִתְפִלָּה,for prayerוַיִּגַּשׁand he drew nearאֵלִיָּהוּEliyahuהַנָּבִיאthe prophetמלכיםMelachimאoneי"חeighteen,וּלְכָלand for allאֵלֶּהtheseנִכְנַסenteredאַבְרָהָםAvrahamלְדַבֵּרto speakקָשׁוֹתharsh wordsוּלְפִיּוּסand for appeasementוְלִתְפִלָּה:and for prayer

רַשִׁ״י

האףWill evenתספה.You destroyהֲגַםWill alsoתִּסְפֶּה.You destroyוּלְתַרְגּוּםAnd according to translationשֶׁלofאֻנְקְלוֹס,Onkelosשֶׁתִּרְגְּמוֹwho translated itלְשׁוֹןan expression ofרֹגֶז,angerכָּךְso isפֵּרוּשׁוֹ,its explanationהַאַףwill angerיַשִּׂיאֲךָincite Youשֶׁתִּסְפֶּהthat You destroyצַדִּיקrighteousעִםwithרָשָׁע:wicked

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

אוּלַיperhapsיֵשׁthere areחֲמִשִּׁיםfiftyצַדִּיקִםrighteous onesבְּתוֹךְwithinהָעִירthe cityהַאַףwill You indeedתִּסְפֶּהdestroyוְלֹאand notתִשָּׂאforgiveלַמָּקוֹםthe placeלְמַעַןfor the sake ofחֲמִשִּׁיםthe fiftyהַצַּדִּיקִםrighteous onesאֲשֶׁרwho areבְּקִרְבָּהּ׃in its midst

רַשִׁ״י

אוליperhapsישthere areחמשיםfiftyצדיקים.righteousעֲשָׂרָהtenצַדִּיקִיםrighteous menלְכָלfor eachכְּרַךְcityוּכְרַךְ,and cityכִּיforה'fiveמְקוֹמוֹתplacesיֵשׁ.there areוְאִםand ifתֹּאמַר:you will sayלֹאnotיַצִּילוּwill saveהַצַּדִּיקִיםthe righteousאֶת—הָרְשָׁעִים,the wickedלָמָּהwhyתָּמִיתshould You killהַצַּדִּיקִים?the righteous

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

חָלִלָהFar be itלְּךָfrom Youמֵעֲשֹׂתfrom doingכַּדָּבָרlike the matterהַזֶּהthisלְהָמִיתto killצַדִּיקa righteous personעִםwithרָשָׁעa wicked personוְהָיָהand it will beכַצַּדִּיקlike the righteousכָּרָשָׁעlike the wickedחָלִלָהfar be itלָּךְfrom Youהֲשֹׁפֵטshall the Judge ofכָּלallהָאָרֶץthe earthלֹאnotיַעֲשֶׂהdoמִשְׁפָּט׃justice

רַשִׁ״י

חלילהFar be itלך.from Youחֻלִּיןa profanationהוּאit isלְךָ,for Youיֹאמְרוּthey will sayכָךְsoהוּאisאֻמָּנוּתוֹ,His practiceשׁוֹטֵףHe washes awayהַכֹּל,everyoneצֵדִּיקִיםrighteousוּרְשָׁעִים,and wickedכָּךְsoעָשִׂיתָYou didלְדוֹרto the generation ofהַמַּבּוּלthe Floodוּלְדוֹרand to the generation ofהַפַּלָּגָה:the Dispersion

רַשִׁ״י

כדברlike a matterהזה.thisלֹאnotהוּאitוְלֹאand notכַּיּוֹצֵאanything likeבוֹ:it

רַשִׁ״י

חלילהIt is profaneלך.to youלָעוֹלָםin the worldהַבָּא:to come

רַשִׁ״י

השופטShall the Judge ofכלallהארץ.the earthנָקוּדis punctuatedבַּחֲטַףwith a chataphפַּתָּחpatachה"אthe letter Hehשֶׁלofהֲשׁוֹפֵט,Hashofetלְשׁוֹןan expression ofתְּמִיהָ,wondermentוְכִיis it thatמִיHe whoשֶׁהוּאisשׁוֹפֵטJudgeלֹאwill notיַעֲשֶׂהdoמִשְׁפַּטjustice ofאֱמֶת:truth

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidיְהוָהHashemאִםIfאֶמְצָאI findבִסְדֹםin Sedomחֲמִשִּׁיםfiftyצַדִּיקִםrighteous onesבְּתוֹךְwithinהָעִירthe cityוְנָשָׂאתִיthen I will forgiveלְכָלfor all ofהַמָּקוֹםthe placeבַּעֲבוּרָם׃for their sake

רַשִׁ״י

אםIfאמצאI will findבסדםin Sodomוגו'etc.לכלfor allהמקום.the placeלְכָלfor allהַכְּרַכִּים;the citiesוּלְפִיand becauseשֶׁסְּדוֹםthat Sodomהָיְתָהwasמֶטְרוֹפּוֹלִיןa metropolisוַחֲשׁוּבָהand importantמִכֻּלָּם,of all of themתָּלָהhungבָהּon itהַכָּתוּב:the Scripture

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וַיַּעַןAnd answeredאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוַיֹּאמַרand saidהִנֵּהbeholdנָאpleaseהוֹאַלְתִּיI have venturedלְדַבֵּרto speakאֶלtoאֲדֹנָיmy Lordוְאָנֹכִיand I amעָפָרdustוָאֵפֶר׃and ashes

רַשִׁ״י

הואלתי.I have willedרָצִיתִיI desiredכְּמוֹjust asוַיּוֹאֶלand was pleasedמֹשֶׁהMosheשמותShemosב'two:

רַשִׁ״י

ואנכיAnd I amעפרdustואפר.and ashesוּכְבָרand alreadyהָיִיתִיI wasרָאוּיfittingלִהְיוֹתto beעָפָרdustעַלbyיְדֵיhands ofהַמְּלָכִים,the kingsוְאֵפֶרand ashesעַלbyיְדֵיhands ofנִמְרוֹד,Nimrodלוּלֵיwere it not forרַחֲמֶיךָYour merciesאֲשֶׁרthatעָמְדוּstood upלִי:for me

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

אוּלַיperhapsיַחְסְרוּןwill lackחֲמִשִּׁיםthe fiftyהַצַּדִּיקִםrighteous onesחֲמִשָּׁהfiveהֲתַשְׁחִיתwill You destroyבַּחֲמִשָּׁהfor the fiveאֶת—כָּלall ofהָעִירthe cityוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidלֹאI will notאַשְׁחִיתdestroyאִםifאֶמְצָאI findשָׁםthereאַרְבָּעִיםfortyוַחֲמִשָּׁה׃and five

רַשִׁ״י

התשחיתWill You destroyבחמשה.for the fiveוַהֲלֹאand is it notהֵןthey areט'nineלְכָלfor eachכְּרַךְ,cityוְאַתָּהand Youצַדִּיקוֹthe Righteous Oneשֶׁלofעוֹלָםthe universeתִּצְטָרֵףwill joinעִמָּהֶם:with them

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וַיֹּסֶףAnd he continuedעוֹדyetלְדַבֵּרto speakאֵלָיוto Himוַיֹּאמַרand he saidאוּלַיperhapsיִמָּצְאוּןthere will be foundשָׁםthereאַרְבָּעִיםfortyוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidלֹאI will notאֶעֱשֶׂהdo itבַּעֲבוּרfor the sake ofהָאַרְבָּעִים׃the forty

רַשִׁ״י

אוליperhapsימצאוןthere will be foundשםthereארבעים.fortyוְיִמָּלְטוּand let escapeד'fourהַכְּרַכִּיםthe citiesוְכֵןand soל'thirtyיַצִּילוּlet them saveג'threeמֵהֶםof themאוֹorכ'twentyיַצִּילוּlet them saveב'twoמֵהֶםof themאוֹorי'tenיַצִּילוּlet them saveאֶחָדoneמֵהֶם:of them

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidאַלlet notנָאpleaseיִחַרbe angryלַאדֹנָיmy Lordוַאֲדַבֵּרָהand I will speakאוּלַיperhapsיִמָּצְאוּןthere will be foundשָׁםthereשְׁלֹשִׁיםthirtyוַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidלֹאI will notאֶעֱשֶׂהdoאִםifאֶמְצָאI findשָׁםthereשְׁלֹשִׁים׃thirty

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidהִנֵּהbeholdנָאpleaseהוֹאַלְתִּיI have venturedלְדַבֵּרto speakאֶלtoאֲדֹנָיmy Lordאוּלַיperhapsיִמָּצְאוּןthere will be foundשָׁםthereעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyוַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidלֹאI will notאַשְׁחִיתdestroyבַּעֲבוּרfor the sake ofהָעֶשְׂרִים׃the twenty

רַשִׁ״י

הואלתי.I have willedרָצִיתִי,I desiredכְּמוֹlikeוַיּוֹאֶלand was willingמֹשֶׁהMosheשמותShemosב'two:

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidאַלlet notנָאpleaseיִחַרbe angryלַאדֹנָיmy Lordוַאֲדַבְּרָהand I will speakאַךְonlyהַפַּעַםthis timeאוּלַיperhapsיִמָּצְאוּןthere will be foundשָׁםthereעֲשָׂרָהtenוַיֹּאמֶרAnd He saidלֹאI will notאַשְׁחִיתdestroyבַּעֲבוּרfor the sake ofהָעֲשָׂרָה׃the ten

רַשִׁ״י

אוליperhapsימצאוןthere will be foundשםthereעשרה.tenעַלforהַפָּחוּתthe lessלֹאnotבִקֵּשׁ,did he requestאָמַרhe saidדוֹרthe generation ofהַמַּבּוּלthe Floodהָיוּthere wereח',eightנֹחַNoachוּבָנָיוand his sonsוּנְשֵׁיהֶם,and their wivesוְלֹאand notהִצִּילוּdid they saveעַל·דּוֹרָם;their generationוְעַלand forט'nineעַלbyיְדֵיmeans ofצֵרוּףassociationכְּבָרalreadyבִּקֵּשׁhe requestedוְלֹאand notמָצָא:did he find

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וַיֵּלֶךְAnd departedיְהוָהHashemכַּאֲשֶׁרwhenכִּלָּהHe finishedלְדַבֵּרspeakingאֶלtoאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוְאַבְרָהָםand Avrahamשָׁבreturnedלִמְקֹמוֹ׃to his place

רַשִׁ״י

וילךAnd wentה'Hashemוגו'.etc.כֵּיוָןAs soon asשֶׁנִּשְׁתַּתֵּקwas silencedהַסָּנֵגוֹרthe defense counselהָלַךְwentלוֹfor Himselfהַדַּיָּן:the Judge

רַשִׁ״י

ואברהםAnd Avrahamשבreturnedלמקומו.to his placeנִסְתַּלֵּקdepartedהַדַּיָּןthe Judgeנִסְתַּלֵּקdepartedהַסָּנֵגוֹר,the Advocateוְהַקָּטֵיגוֹרand the Prosecutorמְקַטְרֵגaccusesוּלְפִיכָךְand thereforeוַיָּבֹאוּand they cameשְׁנֵיthe twoהַמַּלְאָכִיםangelsסְדֹמָה,to Sodomלְהַשְׁחִית:to destroy

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah describes how Hashem informs Avraham Avinu of the grave sins of Sodom and Gomorrah and His plan to investigate and destroy them. Hearing this, Avraham steps forward to daven and plead on behalf of the people, asking Hashem if He would destroy the righteous along with the wicked. Avraham bargains with Hashem, starting by asking if the city can be spared for the sake of fifty tzaddikim, and continues to plead for forty-five, forty, thirty, twenty, and finally down to ten tzaddikim. Once Hashem agrees that He would not destroy the city if ten tzaddikim are found, Hashem departs and Avraham returns to his place.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

Look at the incredible yesod the Torah is teaching us here. When Hashem is about to destroy Sodom, He says, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?" Why? Because Hashem knows that Avraham Avinu will teach his children to keep the way of Hashem by doing "tzedakah u'mishpat", righteousness and justice. And what does Avraham do the moment he hears about the impending destruction? He doesn't say, "Well, they are resha'im, they deserve it." He immediately steps forward to daven, pleading and bargaining for the lives of people who were the absolute antithesis of everything he stood for.

This is the true definition of a Yid, the legacy of Avraham Avinu that we carry in our own blood. To walk in the ways of Hashem means that we cannot remain indifferent to the pain or destruction of others, even those who seem completely distant from us. True tzedakah u'mishpat is not just about being honest in business or giving a few dollars to poor people; it is a deep, burning responsibility for the well-being of every single one of Hashem's creations. When we see someone struggling, physically or spiritually, our natural reaction must be to step forward and daven for them, to look for any merit we can find to sweeten the judgment.

Lichoira, we might think, "Who am I to make a difference? I am just a simple person." But look at Avraham's words: "I am but dust and ashes." He knew his own smallness, yet he did not let that stop him from standing before the Ribbono shel Olam to plead for an entire city. We must never underestimate the power of our tefillos and our care for another Yid.

Today, when you hear about someone who is going through a difficult time, or even someone who seems to be spiritually drifting, do not just pass it by. Take one minute to stop, stand before Hashem, and say a heartfelt perek of Tehillim or a personal tefillah for them, carrying on the legacy of Avraham Avinu.