Lot was Abraham's nephew. As he grew wealthy, his household separated from Abraham's and he settled in Sodom. Angels rescued him and his family when Sodom was destroyed. His daughters thought they were the last living people on earth and had children with him, becoming the ancestors of the Moabites and the Ammonites.
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Lot's Encounter at the Gate of SodomTANAKH
Lot's Encounter at the Gate of Sodom
TANAKH
Lot's immediate and respectful reaction to the arrival of the two messengers at the gate of Sodom highlights his character and the values he learned from Abraham. The book of Genesis recounts Lot's encounter with the messengers, emphasizing his hospitality and the risks he took to protect them.
The Perils of QuarrelsMUSAR
The Perils of Quarrels
MUSAR
Quarrels can have life-threatening consequences, as illustrated by the dispute between Avram and Lot. Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, in his ethical work Shemirat HaLashon, uses the biblical story of Avram and Lot to highlight the severe dangers of discord.
The Legacy of Lot's DaughtersSECOND TEMPLE
The Legacy of Lot's Daughters
SECOND TEMPLE
Lot's daughters took drastic measures to ensure the survival of humankind, engaging in sexual intercourse with their father, which ultimately led to the birth of the Moabites and Ammonites. Josephus, a 1st-century Jewish historian, provides a detailed account of these events and their significance in his historical work.
Lot's ResponsibilityTALMUD
Lot's Responsibility
TALMUD
The rabbinic sages argue that although he was intoxicated, Lot's participation in sexual intercouse with his daughters was not entirely beyond his control. The Talmud discusses Lot's culpability in the incident with his daughters, focusing on the interpretation of the word 'bekumah' in Genesis 19:33 and concluding that Lot's repeated drinking indicates intent.
Lot's Moment of DelayJEWISH THOUGHT
Lot's Moment of Delay
JEWISH THOUGHT
Lot's hesitation when warning his sons-in-law about Sodom's impending destruction led them to perceive him as joking about the events to come. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his Haggadah, explores the story of Lot from Genesis, emphasizing the consequences of his hesitation.
The Fatal GlanceCOMMENTARY
The Fatal Glance
COMMENTARY
According to some interpreters, the angels forbade Lot to look back at Sodom to prevent him from seeing the Divine Presence, which would have been fatal. Rabbeinu Bachya, a medieval Jewish commentator, offers a midrashic interpretation of the story of Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt.
Lot's Hidden HospitalityMIDRASH
Lot's Hidden Hospitality
MIDRASH
Lot's secret acts of charity in Sodom, despite the city's harsh decrees, highlight his bravery and the influence of Abraham's teachings. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a midrashic work, provides a detailed narrative of Lot's actions and the moral lessons derived from them.
A Peaceful SeparationCOMMENTARY
A Peaceful Separation
COMMENTARY
The peaceful separation between Abram and Lot foreshadowed future peace for Abram's descendants. The 14th-century Kitzur Ba'al HaTurim commentary by Rabbi Jacob ben Asher connects the story from the book of Genesis to the peace between the nations that descended from the two characters.
Respecting Lot's LegacyTANAKH
Respecting Lot's Legacy
TANAKH
The Israelites were commanded not to harass the Moabites because their land was divinely assigned to the descendants of Lot. In Deuteronomy, Moses recounts God's command to the Israelites to avoid conflict with the Moabites, emphasizing the divine allocation of their land.
Lot's Hospitality in SodomMIDRASH
Lot's Hospitality in Sodom
MIDRASH
Lot's hospitality in Sodom is complex and nuanced, contrasted sharply with Abraham's, revealing deeper insights into both his character and Sodom's moral state. The midrash Bereshit Rabbah offers a detailed commentary on Lot's actions, emphasizing the complexity of his hospitality.