<b>And the two angels came to Sodom … and he said: “Behold now, my lords, turn aside, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet” (Gen. 19:1–2).</b> There is a proverb which says: Associate with a greasy man and you too will become greasy. Because Lot associated with Abraham he learned to welcome travelers. <i>And they said: “Nay”</i> (ibid.): From this episode our sages taught that one may refuse the request of one’s inferior but not of one’s superior. It is written concerning Abraham that he said: <i>And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and stay ye your heart … and they said: “So do as thou hast said”</i> (ibid. 18:5), but in reference to Lot it is written: <i>And he urged them greatly; and they turned into his house … and they ate</i> (ibid. 19:3).<sup class="footnote-marker">13</sup><i class="footnote">The angel initially rejected Lot’s invitation to enter his home, but accepted Abraham’s invitation immediately. See Pesahim 86b.</i> Surely, ministering angels do not partake of food. This was done only in order to teach us that proper behavior requires that no man should deviate from the custom of the land. You learn this lesson from Moses as well. It is written that after he ascended the mountain: <i>And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights, and he did neither eat bread nor drink water</i> (Exod. 34:28). If it was customary to eat and drink there, he would have done so. Therefore concerning the angels who came to visit Abraham, to destroy Sodom and to rescue Lot, it is written: <i>He made them a feast and baked them unleavened bread, and they ate</i> (Gen. 19:3).