The Mounting Cry of Sodom and the Opened Door of Repentance

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 83:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah, because it is great" (Genesis 18:20). Rabbi Hanina said: it grew and kept growing. Rabbi Berekhiah in the name of Rabbi Yohanan: We have heard concerning the generation of the flood that they were judged with water, and concerning the Sodomites that they were judged with fire; how do we know to apply what is said here to there and what is said there to here? Scripture says "great" [rabbah] here and "great" [rabbah] there, for a verbal analogy [gezeira shava]. "I will go down now and see" (Genesis 18:21). Rabbi Shimon ben Yohai taught: this is one of ten descents (written in remez 26). "I will go down now": Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said, this teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, opened for them a door of repentance. "Whether according to its outcry which has come to Me they have done utterly" (Genesis 18:21): if they have made an end [in their wickedness], they are liable to destruction; "and if not, I will know": I will make known among them the attribute of justice in the world.

Themes

Divine JusticeRepentanceJudgment

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