It starts with a quote from Job: “When He quiets, who can condemn?” (Job 34:29). The Midrash uses this to ask: How could the people of Sodom get away with their wickedness for so long? What allowed them to become so depraved? The answer, according to this text, is that God granted them tranquility, an abundance so great that it blinded them.
"He granted tranquility to the people of Sodom," the text tells us, "who, then, could come and condemn them?" What kind of tranquility are we talking about? The passage points to Job again, referencing verses describing a land of plenty: “A land from which bread emerges…a source of sapphires…a path unknown by bird of prey” (Job 28:5–7).
Now, here's where it gets interesting. Rabbi Levi, quoting Rabbi Yoḥanan bar Sheona, shares a striking image: A buzzard, known for spotting food from miles away (eighteen mil, to be precise!), couldn’t even see the ground in Sodom because the trees were so thick and lush. Think about that for a second. The land was so fertile, so overgrown, that even a creature with exceptional vision was blinded by the sheer abundance. Rabbi Meir specifies the height of the lushness as two handbreadths, Rabbi Yehuda says one, and Rabbi Yosei says two or three fingerbreadths.
And it wasn't just about food. “A source of sapphires…when one of [the people of Sodom] would go to the gardener and he would give him vegetables for an isar (a small coin)," the Midrash continues, "he would find gold in its dust, as it is written: “And its dust has gold” (Job 28:6). Imagine getting vegetables and finding gold as a bonus! It paints a picture of unimaginable wealth and ease.
So, what's the problem? Well, the people of Sodom became arrogant and dismissive of God. “What is the Almighty that we should worship Him?” (Job 21:15), they asked. And the Midrash answers with another verse from Job: “When He conceals His face, who can see Him?” (Job 34:29). God, in effect, let them have their way. He concealed His face, allowing them to descend into depravity without immediate consequences.
But, of course, there were consequences. The Midrash concludes by reminding us of Sodom's ultimate fate: “The Lord rained upon Sodom [brimstone and fire]” (Genesis 19:24).
This passage from Vayikra Rabbah isn't just a historical anecdote. It's a cautionary tale. It suggests that unchecked prosperity, without gratitude or humility, can lead to moral blindness. It asks us to consider: What happens when we become so comfortable, so self-sufficient, that we forget the source of our blessings? And what are the potential consequences of such forgetfulness? Perhaps the story of Sodom isn’t just about a city destroyed, but about the dangers lurking within ourselves.