A careful reading of the Torah's account clearly indicates that Lot did not deserve to be saved on his own merits alone:
"When God destroyed the cities of the plain, God remembered Abraham. Thus, when He overturned the cities in which Lot lived, He allowed Lot to escape the upheaval." (Genesis 19:29)
Why wasn't Lot saved on the basis of his own merits? He certainly did not participate in the infamous Sodomite cruelty towards visitors. Why was he allowed to escape only because "God remembered Abraham"?
The Ideology Of Sodom
The purpose of destroying Sodom was to show the importance of chesed (kindness) in our world. It demonstrated the extent of destruction generated when this trait is missing from society.
When there is an ideological conflict, opposition to a particular position can take two forms. Some people may reject a position on the basis of its expected consequences. But if they only denounce and point out its negative aspects, they are only partially confronting the objectionable position. True opposition is only achieved when we present a positive alternative that promises to govern society in a better and more just fashion.
The problem with Sodom was not just that the people of Sodom were cruel. Rather, the very fabric of the Sodomite society was corrupt, based on their abhorrence of kindness. They based their municipal regulations on an ideology of selfishness and self-interest.
The Difference Between Lot And Abraham
To combat Sodom, it was not enough to merely reject their philosophy. It was necessary to present a comprehensive system that outlines a society guided by the traits of kindness and generosity.
Lot rejected the cruel ways of Sodom. By virtue of his association with Abraham, Lot recognized the importance of chesed. On a private level, he invited strangers and tried to protect them. But he was unable to present an alternative vision of society based on kindness.
Abraham, on the other hand, was a different story. His whole life revolved around developing and promoting the ideal of chesed. Abraham established chesed as a fixed and organized trait for both the individual and the community. As God Himself testified, "I have known Abraham that he will command his children and his household after him, and they will keep God's ways, doing charity and justice." (Genesis 18:19)
Therefore, Lot on his own accord did not merit to be saved from Sodom. Unlike his uncle Abraham, he presented no alternative plan. Lot did not properly contest the Sodomite ideology of cruelty.
How To Fight Evil
This is an important lesson for us. Our rejection of ideologies that contradict the Torah's ethical ideals should not be limited to negative criticism. It is insufficient to merely point out the harmful or false aspects of an ill-conceived plan. Rather, we need to open an offensive front by presenting a positive outlook based on true values - just as Abraham and his vision of chesed stood in direct opposition to the Sodomites' philosophy of egocentric cruelty.
[Based on Ein Aya vol. II, p. 250]
"When God destroyed the cities of the plain, God remembered Abraham. Thus, when He overturned the cities in which Lot lived, He allowed Lot to escape the upheaval." (Genesis 19:29)
Why wasn't Lot saved on the basis of his own merits? He certainly did not participate in the infamous Sodomite cruelty towards visitors. Why was he allowed to escape only because "God remembered Abraham"?
The Ideology Of Sodom
The purpose of destroying Sodom was to show the importance of chesed (kindness) in our world. It demonstrated the extent of destruction generated when this trait is missing from society.
When there is an ideological conflict, opposition to a particular position can take two forms. Some people may reject a position on the basis of its expected consequences. But if they only denounce and point out its negative aspects, they are only partially confronting the objectionable position. True opposition is only achieved when we present a positive alternative that promises to govern society in a better and more just fashion.
The problem with Sodom was not just that the people of Sodom were cruel. Rather, the very fabric of the Sodomite society was corrupt, based on their abhorrence of kindness. They based their municipal regulations on an ideology of selfishness and self-interest.
The Difference Between Lot And Abraham
To combat Sodom, it was not enough to merely reject their philosophy. It was necessary to present a comprehensive system that outlines a society guided by the traits of kindness and generosity.
Lot rejected the cruel ways of Sodom. By virtue of his association with Abraham, Lot recognized the importance of chesed. On a private level, he invited strangers and tried to protect them. But he was unable to present an alternative vision of society based on kindness.
Abraham, on the other hand, was a different story. His whole life revolved around developing and promoting the ideal of chesed. Abraham established chesed as a fixed and organized trait for both the individual and the community. As God Himself testified, "I have known Abraham that he will command his children and his household after him, and they will keep God's ways, doing charity and justice." (Genesis 18:19)
Therefore, Lot on his own accord did not merit to be saved from Sodom. Unlike his uncle Abraham, he presented no alternative plan. Lot did not properly contest the Sodomite ideology of cruelty.
How To Fight Evil
This is an important lesson for us. Our rejection of ideologies that contradict the Torah's ethical ideals should not be limited to negative criticism. It is insufficient to merely point out the harmful or false aspects of an ill-conceived plan. Rather, we need to open an offensive front by presenting a positive outlook based on true values - just as Abraham and his vision of chesed stood in direct opposition to the Sodomites' philosophy of egocentric cruelty.
[Based on Ein Aya vol. II, p. 250]