Daily Chumash & Rashi Vayeira Sheiyni – Avraham defends the city of Sedom

 Q: Why did Sarah deny laughing?
A: Because she was afraid. The word “כי” here means “because” for the first usage and “but” for the second: “It is not as you say, but you did laugh.”

Q: What does “וַיַּשְׁקִפוּ” (“they looked out”) imply?
A: Every use of “hashkafah” in Scripture indicates an evil portent except in “Look down from Your holy dwelling,” where charity transforms judgment into mercy.

Q: Why did God say, “Should I hide from Avraham what I am about to do?”
A: Because Avraham was given the land, was called “father of many nations,” and loved God. It was not fitting to destroy without informing him.

Q: What does “וְאַבְרָהָם הָיוֹ יִהְיֶה” teach?
A: Either as a blessing (“mention of a righteous person brings blessing”) or as a reason for disclosure—Avraham is beloved and destined to become a great nation.

Q: What does “כִּי יְדַעְתִּיו” mean?
A: “I have known him” expresses affection. God cherishes Avraham because he instructs his household to follow God’s ways.

Q: Why is Avraham’s teaching significant?
A: He tells his children to keep God’s ways so that God can fulfill His promises to Avraham. Whoever raises a righteous child is considered as if he never died.

Q: Why did God say He would descend to see Sodom’s deeds?
A: To teach judges to investigate thoroughly before issuing capital punishment. Another meaning: to consider the end of their deeds.

Q: What does “הַכְּצַעֲקָתָהּ” refer to?
A: The cry of the city—or, according to Midrash, the cry of a girl killed for giving food to the poor.

Q: Why does the verse say Avraham was “still standing before God”?
A: It is a respectful adjustment; originally, God stood before Avraham, but Scripture avoids irreverent phrasing.

Q: What does “וַיִּגַּשׁ אַבְרָהָם” teach?
A: “Drawing near” can mean for war, appeasement, or prayer. Avraham prepared for all three in his plea.

Q: What was Avraham’s argument in verse 23?
A: “Would You destroy the righteous with the wicked?” He appealed to God’s justice.

Q: Why did Avraham start with 50 righteous people?
A: Ten for each of the five cities.

Q: What does “חלילה לך” mean?
A: “It would be sacrilegious for You.” People might think God destroys indiscriminately, as in the Flood.

Q: What principle did Avraham invoke in verse 25?
A: “Shall the Judge of all the earth not do justice?”

Q: How did God respond to Avraham’s plea for 50 righteous?
A: He agreed to spare all five cities if 50 were found.

Q: Why did Avraham mention “dust and ashes”?
A: He acknowledged his humility and past deliverance from Nimrod and the kings.

Q: Why did Avraham reduce the number to 45?
A: If five were missing, nine per city plus God would make ten.

Q: How did Avraham continue bargaining?
A: He asked for 40, then 30, then 20, then 10 righteous people.

Q: Why did Avraham stop at 10?
A: Because even eight righteous in Noah’s time did not save their generation; fewer than 10 would not suffice.

Q: What happened after Avraham finished speaking?
A: God departed, and Avraham returned home. Then the angels proceeded to Sodom to carry out judgment.