Why the Sodomites Were Sentenced to Fire for Their Sin

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayera 14:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And the two angels came to Sodom in the evening" (Genesis 19:1), etc. Let our master teach us: How many forms of death were handed over to the court? Four, and these are they: stoning, burning, slaying by the sword, and strangulation. And which is the most severe? Our Rabbis said: stoning. Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai says: burning, for it was given to the daughter of a priest who committed harlotry. See how severe harlotry is, that it is punished by burning. Rabbi {Shimon} [Yehoshua] ben Levi said in the name of Bar Kappara: For everything the Holy One, blessed be He, grants atonement, except for harlotry, as it is said, "None who touches her shall go unpunished" (Proverbs 6:29). Rabbi Yehoshua bar Nechemiah said: The Sodomites too, because they broke out into harlotry, were made liable to burning, as it is said, "And the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire" (Genesis 19:24). Once they were found liable, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to the angels: Why are you standing? Go and destroy them. Immediately they descended and carried out the command of their Creator. From where do we know this? From what they read on the matter, "And the two angels came to Sodom" (Genesis 19:1).

Themes

Divine JudgmentFireSinAdam EveWar

Biblical References

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