Lot Hesitates to Flee the Doomed City of Sodom

Midrash Rabbah Bereshit Rabbah 50:11 View source
Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team ·

The story of Lot and the destruction of Sodom, as explored in Bereshit Rabbah 50, is a stark reminder of how attachment to material possessions can cloud our judgment and even endanger our lives.

The Torah tells us in (Genesis 19:16) that Lot "hesitated" as the angels urged him to flee the doomed city. But the Hebrew word used, vayitmama, suggests something more than simple hesitation. The Rabbis, in Bereshit Rabbah, see it as "wonderment after wonderment," a kind of stunned disbelief at the prospect of losing his wealth. He was thinking, “What a great loss of silver, gold, gems, and jewels!"

Isn't it ironic? Lot's "great wealth caused him to hesitate to leave the city, thus endangering his life," the text explains. And it leads to a powerful statement: “Wealth is accrued for its owner to his detriment” (Ecclesiastes 5:12).

Bereshit Rabbah doesn't stop there. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi applies this to Lot, but then Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman extends it to Korah, whose wealth led to arrogance and rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16). Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon sees it in Navot, who died rather than part with his inherited land (I Kings 21). Rabbi Levi even applies it to Haman, whose pride, fueled by wealth, ultimately led to his downfall. And Rabbi Yitzḥak connects it to the tribes of Reuben and Gad (Numbers 32), whose focus on their cattle led them to choose a territory that resulted in their exile. Some even say it applies to Job, who lost his wealth only to have it restored!

It's a recurring theme: the danger of clinging too tightly to earthly possessions.

But the story doesn't just dwell on Lot's hesitation. (Genesis 19:16) tells us, "the men grasped his hand, and the hand of his wife, and the hand of his two daughters; out of the compassion of the Lord for him, they took him out, and placed him outside the city.” Who were these "men"? The Rabbis suggest it was Refael, an angel. But hold on – the verse uses plural language. How can one angel be "they"? The answer lies in the subsequent verse, they say, which uses the singular "he said," indicating that one angel was leading the rescue.

And then there's the instruction: "Flee to the mountain." But why the mountain? Bereshit Rabbah offers a beautiful interpretation: the mountain represents the merit of Abraham. The angels were telling Lot to flee to the protection of Abraham's righteousness! This is why the verse uses mountains as a metaphor for Israel's three patriarchs: “Leaping on the mountains” (Song of Songs 2:8)

Interestingly, Lot resists. "Please, no, my lords," he pleads (Genesis 19:18). He argues that he can't flee to the mountain. Why? Rabbi Berekhya and Rabbi Levi, in the name of Rabbi Ḥama bar Ḥanina, offer a profound insight: Lot felt that in the presence of someone as righteous as Abraham, his own merits would pale in comparison. It's like the woman from Tzarefat telling Elijah, "Did you come to me to evoke my sin and to kill my son?" (I (Kings 17:1)8). Before, she was the most righteous in her city, but next to Elijah, her deeds seemed insignificant. Lot felt the same way about Abraham.

Rabbi Berekhya makes another keen observation: "Just as a bad locale is challenging, so a good locale can be challenging." Lot was used to the valley, to Sodom. The mountain, though a place of safety and righteousness, was unfamiliar and therefore daunting. Even moving from a bad situation to a good one can present its own set of difficulties.

Finally, Lot proposes an alternative: a small, nearby city. "Here now, this city is near to flee there, and it is small; please, I will escape there. Is it not small, and my life will be saved" (Genesis 19:20). And God grants his request. Rabbi Ḥalafta of Caesarea sees in this a powerful message: if Lot, merely for hosting an angel, received such favor, how much more favor will God show to Israel because of their ancestors' merits? “the Lord will show you favor” (Numbers 6:26).

So, what can we take away from Lot's story? Perhaps it's a reminder to examine our own attachments. What are we clinging to that might be hindering our growth, our safety, our ability to embrace a better future? And are we willing to step outside our comfort zones, even when that means facing the daunting prospect of change, or feeling inadequate in the presence of greatness? It’s a lot to think about, isn't it?

Themes

Creation Angels Patriarchs Moses Solomon Elijah Esther Job Repentance Holy Land

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