This article was written by Yael Stochel, summer inchworm 2019
GrowTorah Core Value: Reimagining Tzedakah
Lesson Title: The Selfishness of Sodom
Avraham learns that Hashem plans to destroy Sodom and Gemorrah. Avraham argues with Hashem, and though Hashem ends up destroying the cities, Lot and his household are given an opportunity to escape. Sarah gives birth to her son Isaac. Hagar and Ishmael are sent away, though Hashem promises Hagar that Ishmael will become a great nation.
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
How is the character of a community reflected in its land in the story of Sodom?
- agricultural community connections
- what does good communal agriculture symbolize?
How can we use our garden to improve our character?
- working together, donating produce....
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
Looking back to the first source, how does Sodom's reputation contrast with Avraham's?
- giving sustenance to others
- Avraham becomes a nation, what does that say abt the importance of Tzedakah?
Living the Lesson
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
How does this verse from Mishlei relate to Sodom's punishment?
- excess of bread without helping the needy
(א) חַיָּבִין אָנוּ לְהִזָּהֵר בְּמִצְוַת צְדָקָה יוֹתֵר מִכָּל מִצְוֹת עֲשֵׂה. שֶׁהַצְּדָקָה סִימָן לַצַּדִּיק זֶרַע אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית יח יט) "כִּי יְדַעְתִּיו לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר יְצַוֶּה אֶת בָּנָיו" (בראשית יח יט) "לַעֲשׂוֹת צְדָקָה". וְאֵין כִּסֵּא יִשְׂרָאֵל מִתְכּוֹנֵן וְדַת הָאֱמֶת עוֹמֶדֶת אֶלָּא בִּצְדָקָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה נד יד) "בִּצְדָקָה תִּכּוֹנָנִי". וְאֵין יִשְׂרָאֵל נִגְאָלִין אֶלָּא בִּצְדָקָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה א כז) "צִיּוֹן בְּמִשְׁפָּט תִּפָּדֶה וְשָׁבֶיהָ בִּצְדָקָה":
(1) We must be especially careful to observe the mitzvah of tzedakah, more so than any other positive mitzvah, for tzedakah is a sign of the righteous [tzadik] lineage of Abraham, our father, as it is said, (Genesis 18:19) For I have singled him out, that he may instruct his children and his posterity [to keep the way of the LORD] by doing what is just [tzedakah].175See Babylonian Talmud Yevamot 79a. The throne of Israel is established and the religion of truth stands only on tzedakah, as it is said, (Isaiah 54:14) You shall be established through righteousness [tzedek]. And Israel will only be redeemed through tzedakah, as it is said, (Isaiah 1:27) Zion shall be saved in the judgment; her repentant ones, in the retribution [tzedakah].176See Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 139a.
Hospitality. For it is said: And he planted a tamarisk tree (ibid., v. 33). R. Nehemiah stated: “Tamarisk tree” (alef-shin-lamed) contains the same letters as the word “ask” (shin-alef-lamed).23On this word-play, see Bereshit Rabbah 54:6. Whenever a man approached him, Abraham would say: “Ask what you desire, and I will give it to you.” And he built an inn at the crossroads.
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
Just as Avraham plants a tree representative of his values, how can we use our garden to emulate Avraham's righteousness rather than Sodom's sin?
- what can our plants symbolize?