פרקי דרבי אליעזר (היגר) - "חורב" פרק כה
הכריזו בסדום כל מי שהוא מחזיק בפת לחם עני ואביון ישרף באש
They issued a proclamation in Sodom saying, “Everyone who strengthens the hand of the poor and the needy and the stranger with a loaf of break shall be burnt by fire.” [Translation by Uri L’Tzedek]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Sodom is considered an archetype of an evil society. Why does the Pirkei D’Rebbe Eliezer tell us that they issued this proclamation?
2. Why would a community issue this proclamation? What underlying values does it reflect?
3. If an evil society declared this policy, then how would a good society conduct itself regarding the poor?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)