Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, the scene shifts from Avraham Avinu's tent to the wicked city of Sodom, where two of the angels arrive in the evening. Lot, having learned the ways of hachnasas orchim from his uncle Avraham, is sitting at the city gate and eagerly invites the guests into his home, urging them to stay despite their initial refusal. He prepares a feast for them, baking matzos, but the wicked people of Sodom quickly surround the house, demanding that Lot hand over his guests to be abused.

We see the extreme midas Sdom as the entire population, young and old, gathers to oppose this act of chesed. Lot tries to protect his guests, even offering his own daughters to the mob, but the people of Sodom turn on him in anger. The angels intervene, pulling Lot back inside and striking the wicked crowd with blindness, before warning Lot that the destruction of the city is imminent and instructing him to gather his family and flee.

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.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וַיָּבֹאוּAnd they cameשְׁנֵיthe two ofהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsסְדֹמָהto Sodomבָּעֶרֶבin the eveningוְלוֹטand Lotיֹשֵׁבwas sittingבְּשַׁעַרin the gate ofסְדֹםSodomוַיַּרְאand he sawלוֹטLotוַיָּקָםand he roseלִקְרָאתָםto meet themוַיִּשְׁתַּחוּand he bowedאַפַּיִםfaceאָרְצָה׃to the ground

רַשִׁ״י

שני.Twoא'oneלְהַשְׁחִיתto destroyאֶת—סְדוֹםSodomוא'and oneלְהַצִּילto rescueאֶת—לוֹט,Lotוְהוּאand heאוֹתוֹhimשֶׁבָּאwho cameלְרַפְּאוֹתto healאַבְרָהָם,Avrahamוְהַשְּׁלִישִׁיand the thirdשֶׁבָּאwho cameלְבָשֵּׂרto announce toאֶת—שָׂרָה,Sarahכֵּיוָןonceשֶׁעָשָׂהthat he didשְׁלִיחוּתוֹhis missionנִסְתַּלֵּקhe departedלוֹ:for himself

רַשִׁ״י

המלאכים.The angelsוּלְהַלָּןand further onקְרָאָםit called themאֲנָשִׁים?menכְּשֶׁהָיְתָהwhen wasשְׁכִינָהthe Shechinahעִמָּהֶםwith themקְרָאָםit called themאֲנָשִׁים;menדָּבָרAnotherאַחֵרexplanationאֵצֶלbyאַבְרָהָםAvrahamשֶׁכֹּחוֹwhose strengthגָדוֹלwas greatוְהָיוּand wereהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsתְּדִירִיןfrequentאֶצְלוֹby himכַּאֲנָשִׁיםlike menקְרָאָםit called themאֲנָשִׁים,menוְאֵצֶלand byלוֹטLotקְרָאָםit called themמַלְאָכִיםangelsבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

בערב.At eventideוְכִיand didכָלallכָּךְthisשָׁהוּtarryהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsמֵחֶבְרוֹןfrom Chevronלִסְדוֹם?to Sedomאֶלָּאratherמַלְאֲכֵיangels ofרַחֲמִיםmercyהָיוּthey wereוּמַמְתִּינִיםand they waitedשֶׁמָּאperhapsיוּכַלwould be ableאַבְרָהָםAvrahamלְלַמֵּדto advocateעֲלֵיהֶםon their behalfסַנֵּגוֹרְיָא:defense

רַשִׁ״י

ולוטAnd Lotישבsatבשערin the gate ofסדום.SodomישבHe satכְּתִיב,is writtenאוֹתוֹthatהַיּוֹםdayמִנּוּהוּthey appointed himשׁוֹפֵטjudgeעֲלֵיהֶםover themבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

ויראAnd Lot sawלוטLotוגו'.etc.מִבֵּיתfrom the house ofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamלָמַדhe learnedלַחֲזֹרto lookעַלforהָאוֹרְחִים:the guests

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd he saidהִנֶּהbeholdנָּאpleaseאֲדֹנַיmy lordsסוּרוּturn asideנָאpleaseאֶלtoבֵּיתthe house ofעַבְדְּכֶםyour servantוְלִינוּand spend the nightוְרַחֲצוּand washרַגְלֵיכֶםyour feetוְהִשְׁכַּמְתֶּםand rise earlyוַהֲלַכְתֶּםand goלְדַרְכְּכֶםon your wayוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidלֹּאnoכִּיbutבָרְחוֹבin the squareנָלִין׃we will spend the night

רַשִׁ״י

הנהBeholdנאnowאדני.my lordsהִנֵּהBeholdנָאnowאַתֶּםyou areאֲדוֹנִיםlordsלִיto meאַחַרafterשֶׁעֲבַרְתֶּםthat you passedעָלַי.by meדָּבָרAnotherאַחֵרexplanationהִנֵּהBeholdנָאnowצְרִיכִיםneedאַתֶּםyouלָתֵתto payלֵבattentionעַלtoהָרְשָׁעִיםthe wicked peopleהַלָּלוּtheseשֶׁלֹּאso that notיַכִּירוּthey will noticeבָכֶםyouוְזוֹand thisהִיאisעֵצָהadviceנְכוֹנָה:proper

רַשִׁ״י

סורוturn asideנא.pleaseעַקְּמוּbendאֶת—הַדֶּרֶךְthe pathלְבֵיתִיto my houseדֶרֶךְa wayעֲקַלָּתוֹןcircuitousשֶׁלֹּאso that notיַכִּירוּthey will recognizeשֶׁאַתֶּםthat youנִכְנָסִיןare enteringשָׁם,thereלְכָךְfor thisנֶאֱמַרit was saidסוּרוּturn asideבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

ולינוand lodgeורחצוand washרגליכם.your feetוְכִיis it indeedדַרְכָּןthe wayשֶׁלofבְּנֵיpeopleאָדָם·לָלוּןto lodgeתְּחִלָּהfirstוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatרוֹחֵץ?to washוְעוֹד,and furthermoreשֶׁהֲרֵיsince beholdאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאָמַרsaidלָהֶםto themתְּחִלָּהfirstרַחֲצוּwashרַגְלֵיכֶם?your feetאֶלָּאratherכָּךְthusאָמַרsaidלוֹט,Lotאִםifכְּשֶׁיָּבֹאוּwhen will comeאַנְשֵׁיthe men ofסְדוֹםSodomוְיִרְאוּand they seeשֶׁכְּבָרthat alreadyרַחֲצוּthey washedרַגְלֵיהֶםtheir feetיַעֲלִילוּthey will complainעָלַיagainst meוְיֹאמְרוּand they will sayכְּבָרalreadyעָבְרוּpassedשְׁנֵיtwoיָמִיםdaysאוֹorשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeשֶׁבָּאוּsince they cameלְבֵיתְךָto your houseוְלֹאand notהוֹדַעְתָּנוּ,you informed usלְפִיכָךְthereforeאָמַר,he saidמוּטָבit is betterשֶׁיִתְעַכְּבוּthat they remainכָּאןhereבַּאֲבַקwith the dust ofרַגְלֵיהֶםtheir feetשֶׁיִּהְיוּso that they willנִרְאִיןappearכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁבָּאוּthey cameעַכְשָׁו;nowלְפִיכָךְthereforeאָמַרhe saidלִינוּlodgeתְּחִלָּהfirstוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatרַחֲצוּ:wash

רַשִׁ״י

ויאמרוAnd they saidלא.nayוּלְאַבְרָהָםbut to Avrahamאָמְרוּthey saidכֵּןsoתַּעֲשֶׂה,doמִכָּאןfrom hereשֶׁמְּסָרְבִיןthat we declineלְקָטָןto an inferiorוְאֵיןand we do notמְסָרְבִיןdeclineלְגָדוֹלto a superiorבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

רַשִׁ״י

כיForברחובin the streetנלין.we will lodgeהֲרֵיbeholdכִּיכימְשַׁמֵּשׁservesבִּלְשׁוֹןin the meaning ofאֶלָּא,butשֶׁאָמְרוּfor they saidלֹאnotנָסוּרwill we turn asideאֶלtoבֵּיתְךָyour houseאֶלָּאbutבִּרְחוֹבָהּin the streetשֶׁלofעִירthe cityנָלִין:we will lodge

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וַיִּפְצַרAnd he urgedבָּםthemמְאֹדgreatlyוַיָּסֻרוּand they turnedאֵלָיוto himוַיָּבֹאוּand they enteredאֶלintoבֵּיתוֹhis houseוַיַּעַשׂand he madeלָהֶםfor themמִשְׁתֶּהa feastוּמַצּוֹתand matzosאָפָהhe bakedוַיֹּאכֵלוּ׃and they ate

רַשִׁ״י

ויסרוAnd they turned asideאליו.unto himעִקְּמוּthey bentאֶת—הַדֶּרֶךְthe pathלְצַדtoward the side ofבֵּיתוֹ:his house

רַשִׁ״י

ומצותand unleavened breadאפה.he bakedפֶּסַחPassoverהָיָה:it was

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

טֶרֶםNot yetיִשְׁכָּבוּthey had lain downוְאַנְשֵׁיand the men ofהָעִירthe cityאַנְשֵׁיthe men ofסְדֹםSodomנָסַבּוּsurroundedעַל·הַבַּיִתthe houseמִנַּעַרfrom youthוְעַדand untilזָקֵןelderכָּלallהָעָםthe peopleמִקָּצֶה׃from the end

רַשִׁ״י

טרםBeforeישכבוthey lay downואנשיand the men ofהעירthe cityאנשיmen ofסדום.SodomכָּךְThusנִדְרַשׁit is expoundedבִּבְ"רַin Bereishis RabbahטֶרֶםBeforeיִשְׁכָּבוּthey lay downוְאַנְשֵׁיand the men ofהָעִירthe cityהָיוּwereבְּפִיהֶםin the mouthsשֶׁלofמַלְאָכִים,the angelsשֶׁהָיוּfor they wereשׁוֹאֲלִיםaskingלְלוֹטLotמַהwhat isטִּיבָםtheir characterוּמַעֲשֵׂיהֶםand their deedsוְהוּאand heאוֹמֵרwas sayingלָהֶםto themרֻבָּםmost of them areרְשָׁעִים;wickedעוֹדָםwhile they were stillמְדַבְּרִיםspeakingבָּהֶםabout themוְאַנְשֵׁיand the men ofסְדוֹםSodomוְגוֹ'.etceteraוּפְשׁוּטוֹAnd the plain meaningשֶׁלofמִקְרָאthe verseוְאַנְשֵׁיand the men ofהָעִירthe cityאַנְשֵׁיmen ofרֶשַׁע,wickednessנָסַבּוּsurroundedעַל·הַבַּיִת;the houseעַלbecauseשֶׁהָיוּthat they wereרְשָׁעִיםwickedנִקְרָאִיםthey are calledאַנְשֵׁיmen of"סְדוֹם",Sodomכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁאָמַרthat saidהַכָּתוּבthe verseוְאַנְשֵׁיand the men ofסְדֹםSodomרָעִיםwere wickedוְחַטָּאִים:and sinners

רַשִׁ״י

כלAllהעםthe peopleמקצה.from the endמִקְּצֵהfrom the end ofהָעִירthe cityעַדuntilהַקָּצֶה,the other endשֶׁאֵיןfor there is notאֶחָדoneמֵהֶםof themמוֹחֶהprotestingבְיָדָם,in their handsשֶׁאֲפִלּוּfor evenצַדִּיקa righteous personאֶחָדoneאֵיןthere is notבָּהֶם:among them

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וַיִּקְרְאוּAnd they calledאֶלtoלוֹטLotוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidלוֹto himאַיֵּהwhere areהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menאֲשֶׁרwhoבָּאוּcameאֵלֶיךָto youהַלָּיְלָהtonightהוֹצִיאֵםbring them outאֵלֵינוּto usוְנֵדְעָהthat we may knowאֹתָם׃them

רַשִׁ״י

ונדעהand we may knowאותם.themבְּמִשְׁכַּבin the lying ofזָכָרa maleכְּמוֹlikeאֲשֶׁרthatלֹאnotיָדְעוּthey knewאִישׁa manבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וַיֵּצֵאAnd he went outאֲלֵהֶםto themלוֹטLotהַפֶּתְחָהto the entranceוְהַדֶּלֶתand the doorסָגַרhe shutאַחֲרָיו׃behind him

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וַיֹּאמַרand he saidאַלdo notנָאpleaseאַחַיmy brothersתָּרֵעוּ׃do evil

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

הִנֵּהBeholdנָאpleaseלִיto meשְׁתֵּיtwoבָנוֹתdaughtersאֲשֶׁרwhoלֹאnotיָדְעוּhave knownאִישׁa manאוֹצִיאָהlet me bring outנָּאpleaseאֶתְהֶןthemאֲלֵיכֶםto youוַעֲשׂוּand doלָהֶןto themכַּטּוֹבas the goodבְּעֵינֵיכֶםin your eyesרַקonlyלָאֲנָשִׁיםto the menהָאֵלtheseאַלdo notתַּעֲשׂוּdoדָבָרanythingכִּיbecauseעַלforכֵּןthisבָּאוּthey cameבְּצֵלunder the shadow ofקֹרָתִי׃my roof beam

רַשִׁ״י

האל.Theseכְּמוֹis likeהָאֵלֶּה:these

רַשִׁ״י

כיforעל·כןas much asבאו.they have comeכִּיbecauseהַטּוֹבָהthe kindnessהַזֹּאתthisתַּעֲשׂוּyou shall doלִכְבוֹדִיfor my honorעַלon account ofאֲשֶׁרthatבָּאוּthey have comeבְּצֵלunder the shadow ofקֹרָתִי;my roof beamתַּרְגּוּםthe Targum of this isבִּטְלַלunder the shadow ofשָׁרוּתֵי,my dwellingתַּרְגּוּםthe Targumשֶׁלofקוֹרָהa beam–שָׁרוּתָא:is sharuta

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

וַיֹּאמְרוּAnd they saidגֶּשׁstepהָלְאָהfurther backוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidהָאֶחָדthe oneבָּאcameלָגוּרto sojournוַיִּשְׁפֹּטand he judgesשָׁפוֹטconstantlyעַתָּהnowנָרַעwe will do worseלְךָto youמֵהֶםthan to themוַיִּפְצְרוּand they pressedבָאִישׁagainst the manבְּלוֹטagainst Lotמְאֹדgreatlyוַיִּגְּשׁוּand they drew nearלִשְׁבֹּרto breakהַדָּלֶת׃the door

רַשִׁ״י

ויאמרוAnd they saidגשstepהלאה.backקְרַבdraw nearלְהָלְאָה,to further awayכְּלוֹמַר,as if to sayהִתְקָרֵבdraw nearלַצְּדָדִיןto the sidesוְהִתְרַחֵקand distance yourselfמִמֶּנּוּ,from usוְכֵןand likewiseכָּלeveryהָלְאָהyonderשֶׁבַּמִּקְרָאthat is in Scriptureלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofרִחוּק,distancingכְּמוֹlikeזְרֵהscatterהָלְאָהyonderבמדברBamidbarי"ז17,הִנֵּהbeholdהַחֵצִיthe arrows areמִמְּךָfrom youוָהָלְאָהand beyondשמואלShmuelא'Alephכ'20,גֶּשׁstepהָלְאָה,backישעיהוYeshayahuמ"ט49–הִמָּשֵׁךְwithdraw yourselfלְהַלָּן,further awayבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofלַעַזforeign tongueטריטי"דנוש,retire yourself from usוּדְבַרand a matter ofנְזִיפָהcontemptהוּא,it isלוֹמַרto say–אֵיןthere is noאָנוּweחוֹשְׁשִׁיןtaking noticeלְךָ.of youוְדוֹמֶהand similarלוֹto itקְרַבstandאֵלֶיךָby yourselfאַלdo notתִּגַּשׁcome nearבִּיunto meישעיהוYeshayahuס"ה65,וְכֵןand likewiseגְּשָׁהgive placeלִּיto meוְאֵשֵׁבָהthat I may dwellשםthereמ"ט49–הִמָּשֵׁךְwithdrawלַצְּדָדִיןasideבַּעֲבוּרִיfor my sakeוְאֵשֵׁבthat I may dwellאֶצְלְךָ;near youאַתָּהyouמֵלִיץintercedeעַלforהָאוֹרְחִין,the strangersאֵיךְhowמְלָאֲךָfilled youלִבְּךָ?your heartעַלconcerningשֶׁאָמַרwhat he saidלָהֶםto themעַלregardingהַבָּנוֹת,the daughtersאָמְרוּthey saidלוֹto himגשgetהלאהout of the way,לְשׁוֹןan expression ofנַחַת;gentlenessוְעַלand regardingשֶׁהָיָהthat he wasמֵלִיץintercedingעַלforהָאוֹרְחִיםthe strangers–האחדthis oneבאcameלגורto sojourn,אָדָםmanנָכְרִיstrangeיְחִידִיonlyאַתָּהare youבֵינֵינוּ,among usשֶׁבָּאתָfor you cameלָגוּר,to sojournוישפוטand you make yourselfשפוטa judge,וְנַעֲשֵׂיתָand you have becomeמוֹכִיחַa reproverאוֹתָנוּ?of us

רַשִׁ״י

הדלת.The doorהִיאit isהַסּוֹבֶבֶתthat which swingsלִנְעֹלto lockוְלִפְתֹּחַ:and to open

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיִּשְׁלְחוּAnd they stretched outהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menאֶת—יָדָםtheir handוַיָּבִיאוּand they broughtאֶת—לוֹטLotאֲלֵיהֶםto themהַבָּיְתָהinto the houseוְאֶתand —הַדֶּלֶתthe doorסָגָרוּ׃they shut

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

וְאֶתAnd —הָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menאֲשֶׁרwhoפֶּתַחat the entrance ofהַבַּיִתthe houseהִכּוּthey struckבַּסַּנְוֵרִיםwith blindnessמִקָּטֹןfrom smallוְעַדand untilגָּדוֹלgreatוַיִּלְאוּand they weariedלִמְצֹאto findהַפָּתַח׃the entrance

רַשִׁ״י

פתח.Openingהוּאit isהֶחָלָלthe hollow spaceשֶׁבּוֹthrough whichנִכְנָסִיןthey enterוְיוֹצְאִין:and exit

רַשִׁ״י

בסנורים.With blindnessמַכַּתa plague ofעִוָּרוֹן:blindness

רַשִׁ״י

מקטןFrom smallועדand untilגדול.greatהַקְּטָנִּיםthe small onesהִתְחִילוּbeganבָּעֲבֵרָהin the transgressionתְּחִלָּה,firstשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמִנַּעַרfrom youthוְעַדand untilזָקֵן,elderלְפֵיכָךְthereforeהִתְחִילָהbeganהַפֻּרְעָנוּתthe punishmentמֵהֶםfrom themבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וַיֹּאמְרוּAnd they saidהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menאֶלtoלוֹטLotעֹדbesidesמִיwhomלְךָhave youפֹהhereחָתָןa son-in-lawוּבָנֶיךָand your sonsוּבְנֹתֶיךָand your daughtersוְכֹלand allאֲשֶׁרthatלְךָis yoursבָּעִירin the cityהוֹצֵאbring outמִןfromהַמָּקוֹם׃the place

רַשִׁ״י

עודyetמיwhomלךhave youפה.hereפְּשׁוּטוֹthe plain senseשֶׁלofמִקְרָאthe verseמִיwhoיֵשׁis thereלְךָto youעוֹדelseבָּעִירin the cityהַזֹּאתthisחוּץbesidesמֵאִשְׁתְּךָyour wifeוּבְנוֹתֶיךָand your daughtersשֶׁבַּבַּיִת:who are in the house

רַשִׁ״י

חתןSon-in-lawובניךand your sonsובנתיך.and your daughtersוְאִםand ifיֵשׁthere isלְךָto youחָתָןa son-in-lawאוֹorבָנִיםsonsוּבָנוֹתand daughtersהוֹצֵאtake outמִןfromהַמָּקוֹם:the place

רַשִׁ״י

ובניך.and your sonsבְּנֵיthe sons ofבְּנוֹתֶיךָyour daughtersהַנְּשׂוּאוֹת.who are marriedוּמִ"אַand from Midrashעדyet–מֵאַחַרsinceשֶׁעוֹשִׂיןthey doנְבָלָהdisgraceכָּזֹאת,like thisמיwhoלךto youפִּתְחוֹןan opening ofפֶּהmouthלְלַמֵּדto teachסַנֵּגוֹרְיָאdefenseעֲלֵיהֶם?on themשֶׁכָּלfor allהַלַּיְלָהthe nightהָיָהhe wasמֵלִיץadvocatingעֲלֵיהֶםon themטוֹבוֹת,good thingsקְרִיreadבֵיהּin itמִיwhoלְךָto youפֶה:a mouth

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

כִּיforמַשְׁחִתִיםare destroyingאֲנַחְנוּweאֶת—הַמָּקוֹםthe placeהַזֶּהthisכִּיbecauseגָדְלָהhas become greatצַעֲקָתָםtheir outcryאֶתbeforeפְּנֵיthe presence ofיְהוָהHashemוַיְשַׁלְּחֵנוּand He sent usיְהוָהHashemלְשַׁחֲתָהּ׃to destroy it

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וַיֵּצֵאAnd went outלוֹטLotוַיְדַבֵּרand he spokeאֶלtoחֲתָנָיוhis sons-in-lawלֹקְחֵיwho marriedבְנֹתָיוhis daughtersוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidקוּמוּariseצְּאוּgo outמִןfromהַמָּקוֹםthe placeהַזֶּהthisכִּיforמַשְׁחִיתis destroyingיְהוָהHashemאֶת—הָעִירthe cityוַיְהִיand he wasכִמְצַחֵקlike a jesterבְּעֵינֵיin the eyes ofחֲתָנָיו׃his sons-in-law

רַשִׁ״י

חתניו.his sons-in-lawשְׁתֵּיtwoבָנוֹתdaughtersנְשׂוּאוֹתmarriedהָיוּwereלוֹto himבָּעִיר:in the city

רַשִׁ״י

לוקחיthose marryingבנותיו.his daughtersשֶׁאוֹתָןthat thoseשֶׁבַּבַּיִתwho were in the houseאֲרוּסוֹתwere betrothedלָהֶם:to them

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וּכְמוֹAnd whenהַשַּׁחַרthe dawnעָלָהroseוַיָּאִיצוּand urgedהַמַּלְאָכִיםthe angelsבְּלוֹטLotלֵאמֹרsayingקוּםariseקַחtakeאֶת—אִשְׁתְּךָyour wifeוְאֶתand —שְׁתֵּיtwo ofבְנֹתֶיךָyour daughtersהַנִּמְצָאֹתwho are presentפֶּןlestתִּסָּפֶהyou be swept awayבַּעֲוֺןin the sin ofהָעִיר׃the city

רַשִׁ״י

ויאיצו.And they urgedכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its translationוּדְחִיקוּand they pressed–מִהֲרוּהוּ:they hurried him

רַשִׁ״י

הנמצאות.Those that are foundהַמְזֻמָּנוֹתthose that are readyלְךָfor youבַּבַּיִתin the houseלְהַצִּילָם.to rescue themוּמִ"אַand from Midrashיֵשׁthere isוְזֶהand thisיִשּׁוּבוֹis the settlementשֶׁלofמִקְרָא:the verse

רַשִׁ״י

תספה.lest you be endedתִּהְיֶהyou will beכָּלֶה,destroyedעַדuntilתֹּםthe ending ofכָּלallהַדּוֹרthe generationדבריםDevarimב'twoמְתֻרְגָּםis translatedעַדuntilדְּסַףthat was endedכָּלallדָּרָא:the generation

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וַיִּתְמַהְמָהּAnd he delayedוַיַּחֲזִקוּand they seizedהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe menבְּיָדוֹhis handוּבְיַדand the hand ofאִשְׁתּוֹhis wifeוּבְיַדand the hand ofשְׁתֵּיhis twoבְנֹתָיוdaughtersבְּחֶמְלַתin the mercy ofיְהוָהHashemעָלָיוupon himוַיֹּצִאֻהוּand they brought him outוַיַּנִּחֻהוּand they set himמִחוּץoutsideלָעִיר׃the city

רַשִׁ״י

ויתמהמה.And he lingeredכְּדֵיin orderלְהַצִּילto saveאֶת—מָמוֹנוֹ:his money

רַשִׁ״י

ויחזיקו.And they laid holdאֶחָדoneמֵהֶםof themהָיָהwasשָׁלִיחַan emissaryלְהַצִּילוֹto rescue himוַחֲבֵרוֹand his companionלַהֲפֹךְto overthrowסְדוֹם,Sodomלְכָךְthereforeנֶאֱמַרit is said"וַיֹּאמֶר"and he saidהִמָּלֵט,escapeוְלֹאand notנֶאֱמַרit is saidוַיֹּאמְרוּand they saidבראשיתBereishisרבהRabbah:

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וַיְהִיAnd it wasכְהוֹצִיאָםwhen they brought outאֹתָםthemהַחוּצָהoutsideוַיֹּאמֶרand he saidהִמָּלֵטfleeעַלforנַפְשֶׁךָyour lifeאַלdo notתַּבִּיטlookאַחֲרֶיךָbehind youוְאַלand do notתַּעֲמֹדstandבְּכָלin allהַכִּכָּרthe plainהָהָרָהto the mountainהִמָּלֵטfleeפֶּןlestתִּסָּפֶה׃you be swept away

רַשִׁ״י

המלטescapeעלforנפשך.your lifeדַּיְּךָit is enough for youלְהַצִּילto saveנְפָשׁוֹת,livesאַלdo notתָּחוּסpityעַלonהַמָּמוֹן:the money

רַשִׁ״י

אלDo notתביטlookאחריך.behind youאַתָּהyouהִרְשַׁעְתָּwickedly sinnedעִמָּהֶםwith themוּבִזְכוּתand in the merit ofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאַתָּהyouנִצָּל;are savedאֵינְךָyou are notכְּדַאיworthyלִרְאוֹתto seeבְּפֻרְעָנוּתָםtheir punishmentוְאַתָּהwhile youנִצָּל:are saved

רַשִׁ״י

בכלin all ofהככר.the plainכִּכַּרthe plain ofהַיַּרְדֵּן:the Yarden

רַשִׁ״י

ההרהto the mountainהמלט.escapeאֵצֶלtoאַבְרָהָםAvrahamבְּרַח,fleeשֶׁהוּאwho heיוֹשֵׁבis dwellingבָּהָר,in the mountainשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוַיַּעְתֵּקand he removedמִשָּׁםfrom thereהָהָרָהto the mountainבראשיתBereishisי"ב12,וְאַףand evenעַכְשָׁוnowהָיָהhe wasיוֹשֵׁבdwellingשָׁם,thereשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidאֶלtoהַמָּקוֹםthe placeאֲשֶׁרwhereהָיָהwasשָׁםthereאָהֳלוֹhis tentבַּתְּחִלָּה,at firstוְאַעַ"פִּand even thoughשֶׁכָּתוּבthat it is writtenוַיֶּאֱהַלand he moved tentאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוְגוֹ'etc.שםthereי"ג13,אֹהָלִיםtentsהַרְבֵּהmanyהָיוּwereלוֹto himוְנִמְשְׁכוּand they stretchedעַדuntilחֶבְרוֹן:Chevron

רַשִׁ״י

המלט.escapeלְשׁוֹןan expression ofהַשְׁמָטָה,slipping awayוְכֵןand soכָּלeveryהַמְלָטָהescapingשֶׁבַּמִּקְרָאthat is in Scriptureאשמוצי"רémisserבלע"זin foreign tongueוְכֵןand soוְהִמְלִיטָהand she deliveredזָכָרa maleישעיהוYeshayahuס"ו66,שֶׁנִּשְׁמַטthat slipped outהָעֻבָּרthe fetusמִןfromהָרֶחֶם,the wombכְּצִפּוֹרlike a birdנִמְלְטָהescapedתהיליםTehillimקכ"ד124,לֹאnotיָכְלוּthey couldמַלֵּטto deliverמַשָּׂאthe burdenישעיהוYeshayahuמ"ו46,לְהַשְׁמִיטto dischargeמַשָּׂאthe burden ofהָרְעִיthe wasteשֶׁבְּנִקְבֵיהֶם:that is in their orifices

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וַיֹּאמֶרAnd saidלוֹטLotאֲלֵהֶםto themאַלnoנָאpleaseאֲדֹנָי׃my lords

רַשִׁ״י

אלDo notנאpleaseאדני.my Lordרַבּוֹתֵינוּour RabbisאָמְרוּsaidשבועותShevuotל"ב35bשֶׁשֵּׁםthat the nameזֶהthisקֹדֶשׁ,is holyשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבּוֹregarding himלְהַחֲיוֹתto keep aliveאֶת—נַפְשִׁיmy soul–מִיHe whoשֶׁיֵשׁhasבְּיָדוֹin His handלְהָמִיתto killוּלְהַחֲיוֹת;and to keep aliveוְתַרְגּוּמוֹand its Targum translationבְּבָעוּI prayכְעַןnowה':Hashem

רַשִׁ״י

אלnotנא.pleaseאַלdo notתֹּאמְרוּsayאֵלַיto meלְהִמָּלֵטto escapeהָהָרָה:to the mountain

רַשִׁ״י

נא.Pleaseלְשׁוֹןis an expression ofבַּקָּשָׁה:request

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

הִנֵּהBeholdנָאpleaseמָצָאhas foundעַבְדְּךָyour servantחֵןfavorבְּעֵינֶיךָin your eyesוַתַּגְדֵּלand you made greatחַסְדְּךָyour kindnessאֲשֶׁרwhichעָשִׂיתָyou have doneעִמָּדִיwith meלְהַחֲיוֹתto keep aliveאֶת—נַפְשִׁיmy soulוְאָנֹכִיand Iלֹאnotאוּכַלwill be ableלְהִמָּלֵטto escapeהָהָרָהto the mountainפֶּןlestתִּדְבָּקַנִיwill overtake meהָרָעָהthe evilוָמַתִּי׃and I die

רַשִׁ״י

פןLestתדבקניcleaves to meהרעה.the evilכְּשֶׁהָיִיתִיwhen I wasאֵצֶלwithאַנְשֵׁיthe people ofסְדוֹםSodomהָיָהwasהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneרוֹאֶהseeingמַעֲשַׂיmy deedsוּמַעֲשֵׂהand the deeds ofבְנֵיthe people ofהָעִיר,the cityוְהָיִיתִיand I wasנִרְאֶהappearingצַדִּיקrighteousוּכְדַאיand worthyלְהִנָּצֵל,to be savedוּכְשֶׁאָבֹאand when I comeאֵצֶלtoצַדִּיקa righteous manאֲנִיI amכְרָשָׁע,like a wicked manוְכֵןand soאָמְרָהsaidהַצָּרְפִיתthe Tzorfite womanלְאֵלִיָּהוּto Eliyahuבָּאתָyou have comeאֵלַיto meלְהַזְכִּירto remindאֶת—עֲוֹנִיmy sinמלכיםMelachimאIי"ז17,עַדUntilשֶׁלֹאthat notבָאתָyou cameאֶצְלִיto meהָיָהwasהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy Oneרוֹאֶהseeingמַעֲשַׂיmy deedsוּמַעֲשֵׂהand the deeds ofעַמִּי,my peopleוַאֲנִיand I wasצַדֶּקֶתrighteousבֵּינֵיהֶם,among themוּמִשֶּׁבָּאתָand since you cameאֶצְלִי,to meלְפִיaccording toמַעֲשֶׂיךָyour deedsאֲנִיI amרְשָׁעָה:wicked

פָּסוּק כ

Pasuk 20

הִנֵּהBeholdנָאpleaseהָעִירthe cityהַזֹּאתthisקְרֹבָהis nearלָנוּסto fleeשָׁמָּהthereוְהִיאand itמִצְעָרis smallאִמָּלְטָהlet me fleeנָּאpleaseשָׁמָּהthereהֲלֹאis it notמִצְעָרsmallהִואitוּתְחִיand shall liveנַפְשִׁי׃my soul

רַשִׁ״י

העירThis cityהזאתthisקרובה.is nearקְרוֹבָהNearיְשִׁיבָתָהּ,is its settlementנִתְיַשְּׁבָהit was settledמִקָּרוֹב,recentlyלְפִיכָךְthereforeלֹאnotנִתְמַלְּאָהwas filledסְאָתָהּits measureעֲדַיִןyetשבתShabbosי'10b.וּמַהAnd whatהִיאisקְרִיבָתָהּ?its recencyמִדּוֹרfrom the generation ofהַפַּלָּגָהthe Dispersalשֶׁנִּתְפַּלְּגוּwhen were dispersedהָאֲנָשִׁיםthe peopleוְהִתְחִילוּand they beganלְהִתְיַשֵּׁבto settleאִישׁeachאִישׁmanבִּמְקוֹמוֹ,in his placeוְהִיאand itהָיְתָהwasבִּשְׁנַתin the year ofמוֹתthe death ofפֶּלֶג,Pelegוּמִשָּׁםand from thereוְעַדand untilכָּאןnowנ"ב52שָׁנָה,yearsשֶׁפֶּלֶגfor Pelegמֵתdiedבִּשְׁנַתin the yearמ"ח48לְאַבְרָהָם.of Avrahamכֵּיצַד?How soפֶּלֶגPelegחַיlivedאַחֲרֵיafterהוֹלִידוֹhis begettingאֶת—רְעוּReuר"ט209שָׁנָה,yearsצֵאdeductמֵהֶםfrom themל"ב32כְּשֶׁנּוֹלַדwhen was bornשְׂרוּג,Serugוּמִשְּׂרוּגand from Serugעַדuntilשֶׁנּוֹלַדwas bornנָחוֹרNachorל',30הֲרֵיbeholdס"ב,62וּמִנָּחוֹרand from Nachorעַדuntilשֶׁנּוֹלַדwas bornתֶּרַחTerachכ"ט,29הֲרֵיbeholdצ"א,91וּמִשָּׁםand from thereעַדuntilשֶׁנּוֹלַדwas bornאַבְרָהָםAvrahamע',70הֲרֵיbeholdקס"א,161תֵּןaddלָהֶםto themמ"ח48הֲרֵיbeholdר"ט,209וְאוֹתָהand thatשָׁנָהyearהָיְתָהwasשְׁנַתthe year ofהַפַּלָּגָה,the Dispersalוּכְשֶׁנֶּחְרְבָהand when was destroyedסְדוֹםSodomהָיָהwasאַבְרָהָםAvrahamבֶּןthe age ofצ"ט99שָׁנָה,yearsהֲרֵיbeholdמִדּוֹרfrom the generation ofהַפַּלָּגָהthe Dispersalעַדuntilכָּאןhereנ"ב52שָׁנָה;yearsוְצֹעַרAnd Zoarאִחֲרָהdelayedיְשִׁיבָתָהּits settlementאַחֲרֵיafterיְשִׁיבַתthe settlement ofסְדוֹםSodomוְחַבְרוֹתֶיהָand its sister citiesשָׁנָהyearאַחַת,oneהוּאthatשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרwhich is saidאִמָּלְטָהlet me escapeנָּא,pleaseנָאnaבְּגִימַטְרִיָּאin gematriaנ"א:51

רַשִׁ״י

הלאIs it notמצערsmallהיא.itוַהֲלֹאand are notעֲוֹנוֹתֶיהָits sinsמוּעָטִיןfewוְיָכוֹלand ableאַתָּהare youלְהַנִּיחָהּ:to leave it

רַשִׁ״י

ותחיand may liveנפשיmy soulבָּהּ,in itזֶהוּthis isמִדְרָשׁוֹ.its Midrashic explanationוּפְשׁוּטוֹand its plain meaningשֶׁלofמִקְרָאthe verseהֲלֹאis it notעִירa cityקְטַנָּהsmallהִיאit isוַאֲנָשִׁיםand peopleבָּהּin itמְעַט,are fewאֵיןthere is notלָךְfor youלְהַקְפִּידto be particularאִםifתַּנִּיחֶנָּה,you leave itוּתְחִיand may liveנַפְשִׁיmy soulבָהּ:in it

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah details the dramatic rescue of Lot and his family from the doomed city of Sodom. Although Lot's sons-in-law mock his warnings of the impending destruction, the angels urge Lot to hurry as dawn breaks, eventually grabbing him, his wife, and his two daughters by the hand to drag them out of the city due to Hashem's mercy. Once outside, the angels command them to flee for their lives without looking back, but Lot, fearing he cannot make it to the hills in time, begs to be allowed to escape to a nearby small town instead.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

The Torah is showing us a fascinating, scary picture of how a person can get stuck in a bad environment. Look at Lot. He knows Sodom is evil, he knows the angels are there to destroy it, and the angels are literally screaming at him to run for his life. Yet, the pasuk says, "Vayismahmah", he hesitated, he dragged his feet. Even when he finally starts moving, he begs not to go to the mountains, but to stay in a nearby small town. Why? Because when you live in a place of spiritual darkness, it gets under your skin. Even when you know you have to leave, a part of you wants to linger.

This is a powerful yesod in our own avodas Hashem. Sometimes we know we have a bad habit, a toxic environment, or a negative influence in our lives that we must break away from. We know it is destroying us. But the yetzer hara makes us hesitate. We say, "I'll stop next week," or "Let me just keep a small connection to it." We try to negotiate, just like Lot did, wanting to stay in the "small town" nearby instead of making a clean break.

Lichoira, the only way to truly save ourselves is to not look back and not linger. When you recognize something is holding you back spiritually, you cannot afford to hesitate or make compromises. You have to run.

Today, identify one negative habit, bad influence, or waste of time that you know you need to cut out of your life, and make a clean, immediate break from it without lingering or negotiating.