Welcome back to
Marie Speaks G-d’s Grace Bible Study.
This is Season 7 of Marie Speaks G-d’s Grace.
I hope everyone has been enjoying this seasons BLOGS so far:
Bereshit/ Genesis ch 1: In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth ,
Bereshit/ Genesis ch 2: When Adam met Eve ,
Bereshit Genesis ch 3: Lilith big mad and the Serpent beguiled Chava.
Bereshit Genesis ch 4,5,6 and maybe 7
Bereshit Genesis 8 and 9: Have you ever seen the rain?
Bereshit Genesis ch 10, 11, and 12 Ancestry and Bloodlines, oh my!
We reviewed and discussed Merciful HaShem. The Blessed Holy One sings the world into creation. We explored the formation of Adam – A’dam – the Man and Eve/ Chava – the Woman. Woman gave “in” into the Serpent. The Serpent is cursed. Lilith is oh so very mad. Bereshit Genesis ch. 4, 5, 6, and 7… depict the process of man’s corruption. They describe “Fallen Angels” and the creation of demons and evil spirits. These chapters also cover several of the basic “minor” ways in which sadly many serve or perform idolatry.
In Jewish Legends, the story of creation unfolds. It details the world’s environment and its inhabitants. This narrative proved the flood necessary. These aspects are found in chapters 4, 5, 6, and maybe 7. #sosatisficing. We also review some more misinterpreted Christian texts. These concern the several books of the Torah and Tanakh or other Jewish teaching/thoughts.
In chapters 8 and 9, we discuss the multiple covenants of the Beni Noach. There are also multiple layer covenants. They should not be confused with the Noahides. We also discuss the several and many descendants of the Beni Noach. These descendant of Noach birth several tribe, clans, and nations; that later become corrupted. In their corruption the descendants of Noach become the greatest enemies of the Nation of Israel.We discuss the many great and wonderful ways HaShem dispersed the Beni Noach throughout the entire world.
Chapters Bereshit Genesis: 10, 11, and 12 Ancestry and Bloodlines, oh my! We review where Historians and Scholars believe the descendants of the Beni Noach became nations. We also explore what nations the Beni Noach reside in and the lifestyles or cultures. We also review several history facts and references to support the theory of The Padilla de Dominguez Theory.
This week we will continue discussing several chapters in one BLOG. We may also discuss a couple of videos, depending on their length. Or maybe we’ll just make it a Bible Study strength and endurance marathon?! Who knows?!
We are going to do something different. We will be jumping chapters to connect the story of Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah. We will also continue teaching about the descendants of the Beni Noach through the line of Ham and the Canaanites.
We shall ask and answer some questions:
If it possible to chase the lines of the Beni Noach? Could it be possible to traces the lines of the 10 Lost Tribes?
What acts or lifestyles made Sodom and Gomorrah so evil before the eyes of HaShem?
What group lived in the Sodom and Gomarrah regions?
Why did Lot choose the Sedom region?
I titled this study Bereshit Genesis ch 13, 14, 18, and 19: A Whole Lot of Shaken going on. What inspired the title? I am glad you asked. Another wonderful song. Jerry Lee Lewis sang song with the title. Funny Fact and gross that is.
Jerry Lee Lewis, the American rock and roll pioneer, married his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown, in 1957. Myra was the daughter of his first cousin, J.W. Brown, making her Jerry Lee’s first cousin once removed. The marriage was unlawful as Jerry Lee was still married to his second wife, Jane Mitchum, at the time.
The marriage caused a scandal, and Jerry Lee’s career suffered as a result. He was ostracized by the music industry and the public, and his popularity declined. Despite this, Jerry Lee went on to have four more marriages.
Myra Gale Brown, now known as Myra Lewis Williams, has spoken publicly about their marriage and its aftermath. In interviews, she has described the experience as tumultuous and damaging, both emotionally and financially. She has also written two books about her life, including “Great Balls of Fire: The Uncensored Story of Jerry Lee Lewis,” which was adapted into a film.
The marriage was widely criticized, and it is often cited as a cautionary tale about the dangers of marrying a minor. Today, Jerry Lee Lewis’s marriage to his cousin remains a controversial topic, and it continues to be discussed in the context of his life and career.
What to expect this this Season 7 and Bible Study Lesson:
We will begin to review from the start of the First Book of Moses. It is the Word of the Holy Blessed One, Bereshit/Genesis. Throughout each chapter, we will review, learn, examine, and study. This will lead us to examine this season, unveiling as we investigate cases of Stolen Valor. Along with this great task, we will continue to increase our intro Hebrew vocabulary. We will also include an intro to Hebrew terminology. This will be coupled with a version of The Tanakh (the actual Jewish Bible, that means no “new testament”) introduction. Our studies will always be rooted in Torah Spiritual Teaching.
The books, sources, and resources or references I will do my best to ensure are, hyperlinked for others. This allows them to review and study at their own leisure. It also aids in gaining self-learning or teaching. The books, sources, and resources or references that we share here at mariespeaksgodsgrace.live, are not commonly found or promoted by the internet. Therefore, we do our best to provide Torah-filled information. This helps prevent others from being led towards secular, pagan, or idolatry propaganda lifestyles.
The books I use to aide me in my research this Season 7 / Lesson are from my personal home library:
***I am not paid to endorse nor am affiliated***
The some of the sources we will be using are listed below for others to enjoy on their own time.
**** again****I am not paid to endorse nor affiliated with any source or reference. I enjoy sharing with others and allowing them the opportunity to meet the Only True Living G-d.
- Book of Enoch
- Nafshi.org
- Sephardic Prayer
- Siddur Sefard
- Tanakh
- Tehillim – Book of Psalms with English Translation & Commentary: With Commentary from the Talmud, Midrash, Kabbalah, Classic Commentators and the Chasidic Masters
- Gods, Demigods & Demons
- Dictionary of ancient deities
- The Wold’s Religions
- Manners and Customs of the Bible
My goal is to help and assist others by studying Torah. I research the information and teachings of Torah sages. I apply in life the lessons taught by our sages of Blessed memory and today. I then learn and share or teach what I have learned or experienced. This rounds out my personal experiences in any moment or season of life, thus forming a reality.
This reality is a living, yes living, energy frequency.
Physical And Spiritual
Able to raise higher and higher (G-d willing) and be adjusted as more experiences and new learning take place. These are my attempts at improving myself. I hope to leave the part of the world I have been placed in, in a better state than before. I will do this if needed. I also aim to positively impact the people I encounter, if possible. People and places I am blessed to encounter, G-d willing, will have a positive experience of their own. This experience will be a stronghold or pillar of success for G-d’s Glory. Ultimately, it will lead them to G-d and His Holy Torah.
This Is Not Forced Or Coerced, Nor Manipulated.
I fully accept my own and others’ free will, given to us by the Holy Creator. Therefore, at the end of the day, one’s own education is determined by their efforts. It is also determined by their intentions and perseverance of truth.
Everyone has a responsibility to their own life, experiences, learning, and education. These are just a few examples. Individuals must seek and find truths that form their reality.
TRUTH
All truth comes from G-d. It was given to us in His Holy Torah. It was then lived out in the Tanakh. To be clear, I believe all Truth comes from the G-d of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. It was given to us through His Prophet Moses, our Blessed Teacher. It is meant to teach the world and all those who love Him. They will know Him and call Him by name. They live by His Torah.
To understand, realize, and learn the truth, we should try our best to learn terminology. Then, share this beauty with others who are open.
So What Is Terminology?
Terminology, as defined by Wikipedia, is:
Terminology is a group of specialized words and respective meanings in a particular field, and also the study of such terms and their use; the latter meaning is also known as terminology science.A term is a word, compound word, or multi-word expressions that in specific contexts is given specific meanings—these may deviate from the meanings the same words have in other contexts and in everyday language.
Terminology is a discipline that studies, among other things, the development of such terms and their interrelationships within a specialized domain.
Terminology is a discipline that systematically studies the “labelling or designating of concepts” particular to one or more subject fields or domains of human activity. It does this through the research and analysis of terms in context for the purpose of documenting and promoting consistent usage.
Let’s get into…..Today’s Torah verses of study
Blessing of the Torah:
Blessed are You, HaShem our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to be engrossed in the words of Torah.
HaShem our God, please make the words of Your Torah pleasant in our mouths and in the mouths of Your people Israel. And may we and our descendants [and the descendants of our descendants] and the descendants of Your people the House of Israel, all know Your Name and be students of Your Torah for its own sake.
Blessed are You, HaShem Who teaches Torah to His people, Israel.
Blessed are You, HaShem our God, King of the Universe Who chose us from among all the peoples and gave us His Torah. Blessed are You, HaShem, Giver of the Torah!
Bereshit Genesis ch 13
Avram went up from Egypt; he, his wife, and all that he had, together with Lot into the south.
Avram was very wealthy in livestock, silver and gold.
He continued on his travels from the south to Beis-Eil, until the place where he originally had [set up] his tent, between Beis-Eil and Ai.
To the site of the altar which he made there at first; and there Avram called [prayed] in the Name of Adonoy.
Lot who accompanied Avram also had sheep, cattle and tents.
The land was unable to support them that they might dwell together, for their wealth was so great that they were unable to dwell together.
Commentary:
How is it possible for the land to not be able to support Avram’s and Lot’s house hold, along with their animals? That does quite make sense does it?!? I want to argue perhaps at a certain point the land refused to support the two house holds.
Now, why would the land refuse to support those who Merciful HaShem sent to dwell upon?
Let’s remember, The Holy One commanded for Avram to depart, not Lot. Some might think Lot accompanying Avram was simply implied. I am going to say no. We will repeatedly see that there can only be one Chief. This is a factor as we continue our beautiful journey through the Torah and Tanakh. My grandmother would say there is only one rooster allowed in the house… cock-a-doodle-do.
I believe when The Holy Blessed One commanded Avram in Genesis ch 12 verse 1: Adonoy said to Avram, Go from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house, [and go] to the land that I will show you. In this verse and the subsequent verses, HaShem is directly speaking to Avram of blessed memory. In fact, Merciful HaShem speaks to Avram. G-d continually directs all the blessings and conversions towards Avram and his descendants. Lot was not among them. Now we can argue that Avram’s wife, who is his flesh, is implied, but Lot was of his father’s household. Lot should have been left behind.
There could be many reasons why G-d did not want Lot to associate with Avram and his household. Lot should not live among them. Personally, I think just as G-d tries to save us from headaches and heartaches, G-d was trying to save Avram.
Verse 7 :There was a quarrel between the herdsmen of Avram’s flocks and the herdsmen of Lot’s flocks. The Canaanites and the Perizzites were then living in the land. ****note****Canaan Noah decendants of Ham’s son Canaan is the ancestor of the Canaanites, a group of seven nations that also includes the Amorites, Girgashites, Hittites, Hivites, Jebusites, and Perizzites. Abraham and Lot are a descendant of Noah through Noah’s son Shem***
Avram said to Lot: Please [Now], let there not be strife between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.
Is not all the land before you? Please [Now] separate ( הִפָּ֥רֶד (Hiphil) to make a division, make a separation, to divide, separate ) from me, if [you go] to the left [north], I [will go] to the right [south], and if [you go] to the right [south], I [will go] to the left [north].
Commentary:
I would imagine the decision to separate ( הִפָּ֥רֶד (Hiphil), was not a decison the Avram can to lightly. I am pretty sure Avram, most likely toiled with this decision. As I am sure many of us have struggled when having to separate ( הִפָּ֥רֶד (Hiphil), from those who we loved or were even found of. After all Lot, was like a brother/son to Avram. But, when someone is causes our family grieve and they refuse to change their was, separate ( הִפָּ֥רֶד (Hiphil) is for the best.
verse 10: Lot raised his eyes and saw the entire Jordan Plain, that it was [an] abundantly watered [place]; before Adonoy destroyed Sedom and Amorah, it was like Adonoy’s garden, like the land of Egypt, going towards Zoar.
Lot chose for himself the entire Jordan Plain; Lot journeyed from the east [before], and they separated one from another.
Avram lived in the land of Canaan; and Lot lived in the cities of the Plain, setting up his tents as far as Sedom.
The people of Sedom were wicked [with their property] and sinful [with their bodies] towards [before] Adonoy, exceedingly.
Commentary:
Why did Lot choose the Sedom region?
Let us examine the personality of Lot. Thus far what we know is he is the nephew raised as a brother/son to Abraham. We also know that Lot and his followers were not the most moral or just characters. In fact, it almost seems as if Lot encouraged the confrontations between the two household workers. And let us also acknowledge that G-d, the Holy Blessed One, ordered Abraham to leave his people and area. Abraham was instructed not to take anyone with him. Abraham chose to take Lot. Perhaps G-d wanted to hint to Abraham. Lot and his household were not the best company for a journey of no return.
I do not know many righteous people who want the companionship of those they perceive to be … or those who have proven to be … let’s just say not on the up and up. Abraham might have hoped for Lot to seek righteousness. He thought separating Lot from the land of his people might lead to this change. And who. can really fault Abraham, for having a good heart towards his cousin who was raised like a brother to him.
We do know one thing for sure. After Lot separates from Abraham, The Holy Blessed One blesses Abraham again. Only after Lot, is no longer attached to him.
Chapter 13 verse 14: Adonoy said to Avram after Lot had separated from him: Raise your eyes and look about from the place where you are, to the north, to the south to the east and to the west.
For all the land that you see I give to you and to your descendants forever.
I will make your descendants [numerous] as the dust of the earth; so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then your descendants too will be countable [just as it is impossible for a man to count the dust of the earth, so too your descendants will not be countable].
Rise, walk through the land—its length and breadth—for to you I will give it.
Avram set up his tent, and he came and settled in the Plains of Mamrei which are in Chevron, and he built there an altar to [before] Adonoy.
Bereshit Genesis ch 14
This happened in the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar [Babylon], Aryoch, king of Elasar, Kedorlaomer, king of Ailam, and Tidal, king of Goyim [king of peoples].
Who was AMRAPHEL?
Schrader was the first to suggest (“Cunciform Inscriptions and the Old Testament,” ii. 299 et seq.) that Amraphel was Hammurabi, king of Babylon, the sixth king in the first dynasty of Babylon. This is now the prevailing view among both Assyriologists and Old Testament scholars. The transformation of the name Hammurabi into the Hebrew form Amraphel is difficult of explanation, though a partial clue is perhaps furnished by theexplanation of the name in a cuneiform letter as equivalent to Kimta-rapashtu (great people or family). On this basis “‘am” = “Kimta” and “raphel” = “rapaltu” = “rapashtu.”
Some might know of the Code of Hammurabi, the most complete and perfect extant collection of Babylonian laws, developed during the reign of Hammurabi (1792–1750 bce) of the 1st dynasty of Babylon. It consists of his legal decisions that were collected toward the end of his reign and inscribed on a diorite stela set up in Babylon’s temple of Marduk, the national god of Babylonia. These 282 case laws include economic provisions (prices, tariffs, trade, and commerce), family law (marriage and divorce), as well as criminal law (assault, theft) and civil law (slavery, debt). Penalties varied according to the status of the offenders and the circumstances of the offenses.
A little history on history:
This cultural heritage was adopted by the Sumerians’ and Akkadians’ successors, the Amorites, a western Semitic tribe that had conquered all of Mesopotamia by about 1900 bce. Under the rule of the Amorites, which lasted until about 1600 bce, Babylon became the political and commercial centre of the Tigris-Euphrates area, and Babylonia became a great empire, encompassing all of southern Mesopotamia and part of Assyria to the north. The ruler largely responsible for this rise to power was Hammurabi (c. 1792–1750 bce), the sixth king of the 1st dynasty of Babylon, who forged coalitions between the separate city-states, promoted science and scholarship, and promulgated his famous code of law.
After Hammurabi’s death, the Babylonian empire declined until 1595 bce, when the Hittite invader Mursil I unseated the Babylonian king Samsuditana, allowing the Kassites from the mountains east of Babylonia to assume power and establish a dynasty that lasted 400 years.
During the last few centuries of Kassite rule, religion and literature flourished in Babylonia, the most important literary work of the period being the Enuma Elish, the Babylonian epic of creation. During this same time, however, Assyria broke away from Babylonian control and developed as an independent empire, threatening the Kassite dynasty in Babylonia and on a few occasions temporarily gaining control. Elam, too, grew powerful and ultimately conquered most of Babylonia, felling the Kassite dynasty (c. 1157 bce).
In a series of wars, a new line of Babylonian kings, the 2nd dynasty of the city of Isin, was established. Its most outstanding member, Nebuchadrezzar I (reigned 1119–1098 bce), defeated Elam and successfully fought off Assyrian advances for some years.
verse 2 of chapter 14 :They waged war against Bera, king of Sedom, Birsha, king of Amorah, Shinav, king of Admah, Shemeiver, king of Tzevoyim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
All these joined together [assembled] at the valley of Siddim [the plain of the fields], which is [now] [the place of] the Salt Sea.
[For] twelve years they had served Kedorlaomer, and for thirteen years they rebelled.
In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer came together with the kings that were with him and they defeated the Rephaim [the mighty ones] *** giants*** in Ashteros Karnayim, the Zuzim [the powerful ones] in Ham, the Aimim [the ones that incite fear] at Shaveh Kiryasayim,
Were these battles of gods or demi gods or giants offsprings of the gods?
The Rephaim were a group of giants mentioned in the Bible who were defeated by Chedorlaomer and allied kings at Ashteroth Karnaim. The name “Ashteroth Karnaim” is often shortened to “Karnaim”. Nephilim: Mentioned in Genesis and Numbers, and possibly in Ezekiel
Goliath: A Philistine giant from the Book of Samuel
Anakim: Considered to be Rephaim Zuzim: Emim: Horites all metioned in Genesis ch 14.
In the Hebrew Bible, “Rephaites” or “Repha’im” describe an ancient race of giants in Canaan, from the Bronze Age 3300 BC – 1200 BC to the Iron Age 1200 BC – 550 BC.
Bereshit Genesis ch 14 verse 7: And the Chorites in their hills of Seir, as far as Eil [the Plain of] Paran which borders [is next to] the wilderness.
They turned back and came to Ein Mishpat [the plain of compromise] which is Kadeish [Rekem], and they struck all the territory of Amaleik, as well as the Emorites who lived in Chazazon Tamar [Ein Gedi].
The king of Sedom set out, along with the king of Amorah, the king of Admah, the king of Tzevoyim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar, and engaged them in battle in the Valley of Siddim [in the plain of the fields].
Against Kedorlaomer, king of Eilam, Sidal, king of Goyim [king of peoples], Amraphel, king of Shinar [Babylon], and Aryoch, king of Elasar; [there were] four kings against the five.
The Valley of Siddim [The plain of the fields] was [full of] mortar pits [pits from which they raise up mortar]; [and when] the Kings of Sedom and Amorah fled they fell there [into the pits], while the remainder fled to the mountains.
They took [captured] all the wealth of Sedom and Amorah and all their provisions and they went on their way.
They took [captured] Lot and his wealth. [Lot was] Avram’s nephew. Then they went on their way. He had been living in Sedom.
The one who had escaped came and told Avram the Ivri, who was living in the Plains of Mamrei the Emorite, the brother of Eshkol and Aneir. They were Avram’s allies.
When Avram heard that his kinsman was taken captive, he armed his trained servants [lads] who were born in his household, three hundred and eighteen [men], and he pursued [them] until Dan.
He divided [his men] against them at night, he and his servants and he attacked them. He pursued them until Chovah, which is to the left [north] of Damascus.
He brought back all the property. His kinsman [His brother’s son] Lot and his possessions he also brought back, as well as the women and the people.
The King of Sedom went out to meet him after his return from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, to the Valley of Shaveh which is the King’s Valley [to the barren plain, which is the place of the racetrack of the king].
Malki Zedek, king of Shaleim [Yerushalayim], brought out bread and wine. He was a Kohein of [He was serving before] the Most High Almighty.
He blessed him and said: Blessed be Avram to the Most High, Almighty Possessor of heaven and earth.
And blessed be the Most High Almighty Who has delivered your enemies into your hand. [Avram] gave him a tenth of everything.
Commentary: As discussed in BLOG Bereshit Genesis ch 10, 11, and 12 “King Melchizedek Some rabbinic sources identify Shem as King Melchizedek, King of Salem, an honorific title that means “King of Righteousness”. Shem, however, forfeited the priesthood by mentioning in his blessing Abraham’s name before that of God, so that God took his office from him and gave it to Abraham (Ned. 32b; Pirḳe R. El. xxvii.).”
For a recap on this discussion, please click link to BLOG below.
The King of Sedom said to Avram: Give me the people, and take the possessions for yourself.
Avram said to the King of Sedom: I have lifted my hand [in prayer] to [before] Adonoy [before] the Most High Almighty, Possessor of heaven and earth.
Neither a thread nor a shoelace! And I will not take anything of yours, so you will not [be able] to say, I have made Avram wealthy.
I am excluding myself; only what the lads have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me, Aneir, Eshkol and Mamrei, they may take their portion.
Bereshit Genesis ch 18
Adonoy appeared to him in the groves of Mamrei and he was sitting at the door of the tent in the heat of the day.
He lifted his eyes and saw, and behold three men were standing over him. He saw [them], and ran from the door of the tent to greet them, and he bowed down to the earth.
He said, My Master, if I have found favor in Your eyes, please do not bypass your servant.
Let a bit of water be brought and wash your feet. Rest yourselves under the tree.
I will get bread and you will sustain your heart. Afterwards you will continue on your way, since you have passed by your servant. They said, Fine, do as you have said.
Avraham hurried to Sarah’s tent and said, Hurry! [take] three measures of the finest flour; knead it and make cake-rolls.
Avraham ran to the cattle, and took a tender, choice calf. He gave it to the lad. and hurried to prepare it.
He took butter, milk, and the calf he had prepared, and set it before them. He stood over them under the tree, and they ate.
They said to him, Where is Sarah, your wife? He said Here, in the tent.
He said I will return to you next year, and Sarah, your wife will have a son. Sarah was listening at the door of the tent, that was behind him.
Avraham and Sarah were old, well on in years. Sarah no longer had the way of women.
Sarah laughed to herself saying, Now that I am worn out, shall I have the pleasure [of a son], my master being [also] an old man.
Adonoy said to Avraham, Why did Sarah laugh saying, Can I really give birth when I am old?
Is anything too far removed from Adonoy? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time of life, and Sarah will have a son.
Sarah denied it saying, I did not laugh, for she was afraid. He said, Not so, for you did laugh.
Legend of the Jews: THE VISIT OF THE ANGELS
On the third day after his circumcision, when Abraham was suffering dire pain, God spoke to the angels, saying, “Go to, let us pay a visit to the sick.” The angels refused, and said: “What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou visitest him? And Thou desirest to betake Thyself to a place of uncleanness, a place of blood and filth?” But God replied unto them, “Thus do ye speak. As ye live, the savor of this blood is sweeter to me than myrrh and incense, and if you do not desire to visit Abraham, I will go alone.”
The day whereon God visited him was exceedingly hot, for He had bored a hole in hell, so that its heat might reach as far as the earth, and no wayfarer venture abroad on the highways, and Abraham be left undisturbed in his pain. But the absence of strangers caused Abraham great vexation, and he sent his servant Eliezer forth to keep a lookout for travellers. When the servant returned from his fruitless search, Abraham himself, in spite of his illness and the scorching heat, prepared to go forth on the highway and see whether he would not succeed where failure had attended Eliezer, whom he did not wholly trust at any rate, bearing in mind the well-known saying, “No truth among slaves.” At this moment God appeared to him, surrounded by the angels. Quickly Abraham attempted to rise from his seat, but God checked every demonstration of respect, and when Abraham protested that it was unbecoming to sit in the presence of the Lord, God said, “As thou livest, thy descendants at the age of four and five will sit in days to come in the schools and in the synagogues while I reside therein.”
Meantime Abraham beheld three men. They were the angels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. They had assumed the form of human beings to fulfil his wish for guests toward whom to exercise hospitality. Each of them had been charged by God with a special mission, besides, to be executed on earth. Raphael was to heal the wound of Abraham, Michael was to bring Sarah the glad tidings that she would bear a son, and Gabriel was to deal destruction to Sodom and Gomorrah. Arrived at the tent of Abraham, the three angels noticed that he was occupied in nursing himself, and they withdrew. Abraham, however, hastened after them through another door of the tent, which had wide open entrances on all sides. He considered the duty of hospitality more important than the duty of receiving the Shekinah. Turning to God, he said, “O Lord, may it please Thee not to leave Thy servant while he provides for the entertainment of his guests.” Then he addressed himself to the stranger walking in the middle between the other two, whom by this token he considered the most distinguished,- it was the archangel Michael–and he bade him and his companions turn aside into his tent. The manner of his guests, who treated one another politely, made a good impression upon Abraham. He was assured that they were men of worth whom he was entertaining. But as they appeared outwardly like Arabs, and the people worshipped the dust of their feet, he bade them first wash their feet, that they might not defile his tent.
He did not depend upon his own judgment in reading the character of his guests. By his tent a tree was planted, which spread its branches out over all who believed in God, and afforded them shade. But if idolaters went under the tree, the branches turned upward, and cast no shade upon the ground. Whenever Abraham saw this sign, he would at once set about the task of converting the worshippers of the false gods. And as the tree made a distinction between the pious and the impious, so also between the clean and the unclean. Its shade was denied them as long as they refrained from taking the prescribed ritual bath in the spring that flowed out from its roots, the waters of which rose at once for those whose uncleanness was of a venial character and could be removed forthwith, while others had to wait seven days for the water to come up. Accordingly, Abraham bade the three men lean against the trunk of the tree. Thus he would soon learn their worth or their unworthiness.
Being of the truly pious, “who promise little, but perform much,” Abraham said only: “I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your heart, seeing that ye chanced to pass my tent at dinner time. Then, after ye have given thanks to God, ye may pass on.” But when the meal was served to the guests, it was a royal banquet, exceeding Solomon’s at the time of his most splendid magnificence. Abraham himself ran unto the herd, to fetch cattle for meat. He slaughtered three calves, that he might be able to set a “tongue with mustard” before each of his guests. In order to accustom Ishmael to God-pleasing deeds, he had him dress the calves, and he bade Sarah bake the bread. But as he knew that women are apt to treat guests niggardly, he was explicit in his request to her. He said, “Make ready quickly three measures of meal, yea, fine meal.” As it happened, the bread was not brought to the table, because it had accidentally become unclean, and our father Abraham was accustomed to eat his daily bread only in a clean state. Abraham himself served his guests, and it appeared to him that the three men ate. But this was an illusion. In reality the angels did not eat, only Abraham, his three friends, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, and his son Ishmael partook of the banquet, and the portions set before the angels were devoured by a heavenly fire.
Although the angels remained angels even in their human disguise, nevertheless the personality of Abraham was so exalted that in his presence the archangels felt insignificant.
After the meal the angels asked after Sarah, though they knew that she was in retirement in her tent, but it was proper for them to pay their respects to the lady of the house and send her the cup of wine over which the blessing had been said. Michael, the greatest of the angels, thereupon announced the birth of Isaac. He drew a line upon the wall, saying, “When the sun crosses this point, Sarah will be with child, and when he crosses the next point, she will give birth to a child.” This communication, which was intended for Sarah and not for Abraham, to whom the promise had been revealed long before, the angels made at the entrance to her tent, but Ishmael stood between the angel and Sarah, for it would not have been seemly to deliver the message in secret, with none other by. Yet, so radiant was the beauty of Sarah that a beam of it struck the angel, and made him look up. In the act of turning toward her, he heard her laugh within herself: “Is it possible that these bowels can yet bring forth a child, these shrivelled breasts give suck? And though I should be able to bear, yet is not my lord Abraham old?
And the Lord said unto Abraham: “Am I too old to do wonders? And wherefore doth Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?” The reproach made by God was directed against Abraham as well as against Sarah, for he, too, had showed himself of little faith when he was told that a son would be born unto him. But God mentioned only Sarah’s incredulity, leaving Abraham to become conscious of his defect himself.
Regardful of the peace of their family life, God had not repeated Sarah’s words accurately to Abraham. Abraham might have taken amiss what his wife had said about his advanced years, and so precious is the peace between hus band and wife that even the Holy One, blessed be He, preserved it at the expense of truth.
After Abraham had entertained his guests, he went with them to bring them on their way, for, important as the duty of hospitality is, the duty of speeding the parting guest is even more important. Their way lay in the direction of Sodom, whither two of the angels were going, the one to destroy it, and the second to save Lot, while the third, his errand to Abraham fulfilled, returned to heaven.
The men stood up from where they were, and they gazed upon Sedom. Avraham went with them to send them [on their way].
Bereshit Genesis ch 18 verse 17: Adonoy said, Shall I conceal from Avraham what I am about to do?
Avraham is indeed to become a great and mighty nation, and through him shall be blessed all the nations of the world.
For I have given him special attention because he commands his children, and his household after him, and they will preserve the way of Adonoy, doing charity and justice, so that Adonoy will bring upon Avraham all that which He has spoken of him.
Bereshit Genesis ch 18: 20 : [Thus] Adonoy said, The wailing concerning Sedom and Amorah is so great, and their sin is so very grave.
I will descend now and see, if their wailing which has come to Me is indicative of their conduct; destruction [shall come upon them]. If not I will know.
The men turned from where they were, and went toward Sedom. Avraham was still standing before Adonoy.
Avraham came forward and said, Will You [actually] destroy the righteous with the wicked ?
Suppose there are fifty righteous people in the midst of the city, will You still destroy it, and not bear with the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people inside it?
It would be sacrilege [to attribute] to You such an act, to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. It would be sacrilege to attribute this to You : Shall the Judge of all the earth not do justice?
Adonoy said; If, in Sedom, I find fifty righteous within the city, I will bear with the entire place for their sake.
Avraham responded and said, Here I have begun to speak to my Master, and I am but dust and ashes.
But suppose they lack five of the fifty righteous? Will You destroy all the city because of five? He said, I will not destroy if I find forty-five there.
He [Avraham] continued to speak to Him and said, Suppose there are forty found there? He said, I will not do it for the sake of the forty.
He said, Let not my Master show anger and I will [continue] to speak. Suppose thirty are found there? He said, I will not do it if I find thirty there.
He said, Here I wished to speak to my Master. Suppose twenty are found there? He said, I will not destroy for the sake of the twenty.
He said, Let not my Master show anger, and I will speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there? He said, I will not destroy for the sake of the ten.
Adonoy departed when He finished speaking to Avraham, and Avraham returned to his place.
Legend of the Jews: THE CITIES OF SIN
The inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah and the three other cities of the plain were sinful and godless. In their country there was an extensive vale, where they foregathered annually with their wives and their children and all belonging to them, to celebrate a feast lasting several days and consisting of the most revolting orgies. If a stranger merchant passed through their territory, he was besieged by them all, big and little alike, and robbed of whatever he possessed. Each one appropriated a bagatelle, until the traveller was stripped bare. If the victim ventured to remonstrate with one or another, he would show him that he had taken a mere trifle, not worth talking about. And the end was that they hounded him from the city.
Once upon a time it happened that a man journeying from Elam arrived in Sodom toward evening. No one could be found to grant him shelter for the night. Finally a sly fox named Hedor invited him cordially to follow him to his house. The Sodomite had been attracted by a rarely magnificent carpet, strapped to the stranger’s ass by means of a rope. He meant to secure it for himself. The friendly persuasions of Hedor induced the stranger to remain with him two days, though he had expected to stay only overnight. When the time came for him to continue on his journey, he asked his host for the carpet and the rope. Hedor said: “Thou hast dreamed a dream, and this is the interpretation of thy dream: the rope signifies that thou wilt have a long life, as long as a rope; the varicolored carpet indicates that thou wilt own an orchard wherein thou wilt plant all sorts of fruit trees.” The stranger insisted that his carpet was a reality, not a dream fancy, and he continued to demand its return. Not only did Hedor deny having taken anything from his guest, he even insisted upon pay for having interpreted his dream to him. His usual price for such services, he said, was four silver pieces, but in view of the fact that he was his guest, he would, as a favor to him, content himself with three pieces of silver.
After much wrangling, they put their case before one of the judges of Sodom, Sherek by name, and he said to the plaintiff, “Hedor is known in this city as a trustworthy interpreter of dreams, and what he tells thee is true.” The stranger declared himself not satisfied with the verdict, and continued to urge his side of the case. Then Sherek drove both the plaintiff and the defendant from the court room. Seeing this, the inhabitants gathered together and chased the stranger from the city, and lamenting the loss of his carpet, he had to pursue his way.
As Sodom had a judge worthy of itself, so also had the other cities–Sharkar in Gomorrah, Zabnak in Admah, and Manon in Zeboiim. Eliezer, the bondman of Abraham, made slight changes in the names of these judges, in accordance with the nature of what they did: the first he called Shakkara, Liar; the second Shakrura, Arch-deceiver; the third Kazban, Falsifier; and the fourth, Mazle-Din, Perverter of Judgment. At the suggestion of these judges, the cities set up beds on their commons. When a stranger arrived, three men seized him by his head, and three by his feet, and they forced him upon one of the beds. If he was too short to fit into it exactly, his six attendants pulled and wrenched his limbs until he filled it out; if he was too long for; it, they tried to jam him in with all their combined strength, until the victim was on the verge of death. Hit outcrles were met with the words, “Thus will be done to any man that comes into our land.”
After a while travellers avoided these cities, but if some poor devil was betrayed occasionally into entering them, they would give him gold and silver, but never any bread, so that he was bound to die of starvation. Once he was dead, the residents of the city came and took back the marked gold and silver which they had given him, and they would quarrel about the distribution of his clothes, for they would bury him naked.
Once Eliezer, the bondman of Abraham, went to Sodom, at the bidding of Sarah, to inquire after the welfare of Lot. He happened to enter the city at the moment when the people were robbing a stranger of his garments. Eliezer espoused the cause of the poor wretch, and the Sodomites turned against him; one threw a stone at his forehead and caused considerable loss of blood. Instantly, the assailant, seeing the blood gush forth, demanded payment for having performed the operation of cupping. Eliezer refused to pay for the infliction of a wound upon him, and he was haled before the judge Shakkara. The decision went against him, for the law of the land gave the assailant the right to demand payment. Eliezer quickly picked up a stone and threw it at the judge’s forehead. When he saw that the blood was flowing profusely, he said to the judge, “Pay my debt to the man and give me the balance.”
The cause of their cruelty was their exceeding great wealth. Their soil was gold, and in their miserliness and their greed for more and more gold, they wanted to prevent strangers from enjoying aught of their riches. Accordingly, they flooded the highways with streams of water, so that the roads to their city were obliterated, and none could find the way thither. They were as heartless toward beasts as toward men. They begrudged the birds what they ate, and therefore extirpated them. They behaved impiously toward one another, too, not shrinking back from murder to gain possession of more gold. If they observed that a man owned great riches, two of them would conspire against him. They would beguile him to the vicinity of ruins, and while the one kept him on the spot by pleasant converse, the other would undermine the wall near which he stood, until it suddenly crashed down upon him and killed him. Then the two plotters would divide his wealth between them.
Another method of enriching themselves with the property of others was in vogue among them. They were adroit thieves. When they made up their minds to commit theft, they would first ask their victim to take care of a sum of money for them, which they smeared with strongly scented oil before handing it over to him. The following night they would break into his house, and rob him of his secret treasures, led to the place of concealment by the smell of the oil.
Their laws were calculated to do injury to the poor. The richer a man, the more was he favored before the law. The owner of two oxen was obliged to render one day’s shepherd service, but if he had but one ox, he had to give two days’ service. A poor orphan, who was thus forced to tend the flocks a longer time than those who were blessed with large herds, killed all the cattle entrusted to him in order to take revenge upon his oppressors, and he insisted, when the skins were assigned, that the owner of two head of cattle should have but one skin, but the owner of one head should receive two skins, in correspondence to the method pursued in assigning the work. For the use of the ferry, a traveller had to pay four zuz, but if he waded through the water, he had to pay eight zuz.
The cruelty of the Sodomites went still further. Lot had a daughter, Paltit, so named because she had been born to him shortly after he escaped captivity through the help of Abraham. Paltit lived in Sodom, where she had married. Once a beggar came to town, and the court issued a proclamation that none should give him anything to eat, in order that he might die of starvation. But Paltit had pity upon the unfortunate wretch, and every day when she went to the well to draw water, she supplied him with a piece of bread, which she hid in her water pitcher. The inhabitants of the two sinful cities, Sodom and Gomorrah, could not understand why the beggar did not perish, and they suspected that some one was giving him food in secret. Three men concealed themselves near the beggar, and caught Paltit in the act of giving him something to eat. She had to pay for her humanity with death; she was burnt upon a pyre.
The people of Admah were no better than those of Sodom. Once a stranger came to Admah, intending to stay overnight and continue his journey the next morning. The daughter of a rich man met the stranger, and gave him water to drink and bread to eat at his request. When the people of Admah heard of this infraction of the law of the land, they seized the girl and arraigned her before the judge, who condemned her to death. The people smeared her with honey from top to toe, and exposed her where bees would be attracted to her. The insects stung her to death, and the callous people paid no heed to her heartrending cries. Then it was that God resolved upon the destruction of these sinners.
ABRAHAM PLEADS FOR THE SINNERS
When God saw that there was no righteous man among the inhabitants of the sinful cities, and there would be none among their descendants, for the sake of whose merits the rest might be treated with lenient consideration, He resolved to annihilate them one and all. But before judgment was executed, the Lord made known unto Abraham what He would do to Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other cities of the plain, for they formed a part of Canaan, the land promised unto Abraham, and therefore did God say, “I will not destroy them without the consent of Abraham.”
Like a compassionate father, Abraham importuned the grace of God in behalf of the sinners. He spoke to God, and said: “Thou didst take an oath that no more should all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood. Is it meet that Thou shouldst evade Thy oath and destroy cities by fire? Shall the Judge of all the earth not do right Himself? Verily, if Thou desirest to maintain the world, Thou must give up the strict line of justice. If Thou insistest upon the right alone, there can be no world.” Whereupon God said to Abraham: “Thou takest delight in defending My creatures, and thou wouldst not call them guilty. Therefore I spoke with none but thee during the ten generations since Noah.” Abraham ventured to use still stronger words in order to secure the safety of the godless. “That be far from Thee,” he said, “to slay the righteous with the wicked, that the dwellers on the earth say not, ‘It is His trade to destroy the generations of men in a cruel manner; for He destroyed the generation of Enosh, then the generation of the flood, and then He sent the confusion of tongues. He sticks ever to His trade.’ “
God made reply: “I will let all the generations I have destroyed pass before thee, that thou mayest see they have not suffered the extreme punishment they deserved. But if thou thinkest that I did not act justly, then instruct thou Me in what I must do, and I will endeavor to act in accordance with thy words.” And Abraham had to admit that God had not diminished in aught the justice due to every creature in this world or the other world. Nevertheless he continued to speak, and he said: “Wilt Thou consume the cities, if there be ten righteous men in each?” And God said, “No, if I find fifty righteous therein, I will not destroy the cities.”
Abraham: “I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, I who would have been turned long since into dust of the ground by Amraphel and into ashes by Nimrod, had it not been for Thy grace. Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous for Zoar, the smallest of the five cities. Wilt Thou destroy all the city for lack of five?”
God: “I will not destroy it, if I find there forty and five.”
Abraham: “Peradventure there be ten pious in each of the four cities, then forgive Zoar in Thy grace, for its sins are not so great in number as the sins of the others.”
God granted his petition, yet Abraham continued to plead, and he asked whether God would not be satisfied if there were but thirty righteous, ten in each of the three larger cities, and would pardon the two smaller ones, even though there were no righteous therein, whose merits would intercede for them. This, too, the Lord granted, and furthermore He promised not to destroy the cities if but twenty righteous were found therein; yes, God conceded that He would preserve the five cities for the sake of ten righteous therein. More than this Abraham did not ask, for he knew that eight righteous ones, Noah and his wife, and his three sons and their wives, had not sufficed to avert the doom of the generation of the flood, and furthermore he hoped that Lot, his wife, and their four daughters, together with the husbands of their daughters, would make up the number ten. What he did not know was that even the righteous in these sin-laden cities, though better than the rest, were far from good.
Abraham did not cease to pray for the deliverance of the sinners even after the Shekinah had removed from him. But his supplications and his intercessions were in vain. For fifty-two years God had warned the godless; He had made mountains to quake and tremble. But they hearkened not unto the voice of admonition. They persisted in their sins, and their well-merited punishment overtook them. God forgives all sins, only not an immoral life. And as all these sinners led a life of debauchery, they were burnt with fire.
Bereshit Genesis ch 19
The two angels came to Sedom in the evening, while Lot was sitting at the gate of Sedom. Lot saw them, and he got up to greet them, and he bowed with his face to the ground.
He said, Behold now my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house. Stay over night, bathe your feet, and get up early and continue on your way. They said, No, we will spend the night in the street.
He urged them greatly, and they turned in to him and came to his house. He made a feast for them, and baked matzos, and they ate.
They had not yet lain down when the men of the city, the men of Sedom, surrounded the house—young and old alike—all the people from one end [of the city] to the other end.
They called to Lot and said to him, Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them.
Lot went out to them in front of the entrance, shutting the door behind him.
He said, My brothers, please do not act wickedly.
Behold! I have two daughters who have never known a man, I will bring them out to you, and do with them as you please; only do nothing to these men, since after all, they came under the shelter of my roof.
They said, Step back out of the way! They said, This one came as an immigrant, and now he wants to be a judge. We will now deal worse with you than with them. They pushed hard against Lot, and came near to break the door.
The men put out their hands, and pulled Lot to them, into the house, and closed the door.
The men who were at the entrance of the house, they struck with blindness—young and old alike—so that they wearied themselves trying to find the entrance.
The men said to Lot, Who else do you have here—a son-in-law, your sons, your daughters? Whoever you have in the city, bring them out of his place.
We are going to destroy this place, for the wailing concerning them has become great in the presence of Adonoy; and Adonoy has sent us to destroy it.
Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law who had married his daughters. He said [to them], Get up! Get out of this place, for Adonoy is going to destroy the city! He appeared as a comedian in the eyes of his sons-in-law.
At the break of dawn, the angels urged Lot on, saying, Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the iniquity of the city.
He hesitated, and the men grabbed his hand and the hand of his wife and two daughters, for Adonoy had pity on him. They brought him out and placed him outside the city.
When they were brought out [of the city], he [the angel] said, Escape for your life! Do not look back! Do not remain anywhere in the valley. Escape to the mountain, lest you be swept away.
Lot said to them, Please, not so my Master.
Behold your servant has found favor in Your eyes. Great is your kindness that you have done with me, to keep me alive. I cannot escape to the mountain, lest the evil attach itself to me and I die.
Behold, please, this city is near [enough] to flee there. It is insignificant. Let me escape there! It is insignificant, and my life will be saved.
He said to him, See I have also given you consideration regarding this. I will not overturn the city that you mentioned.
Hurry, escape there, for I can do nothing until you get there. The city was therefore called Zoar.
The sun had risen upon the earth, when Lot came to Zoar.
Adonoy caused to rain upon Sedom and Amorah—sulfur and fire—from Adonoy, from heaven.
He overturned these cities, and the entire plain, and all those who lived in the cities and all that grew upon the ground.
His [Lot’s] wife looked behind him; and she became a pillar of salt.
Avraham got up early in morning [to return] to the place where he had stood before the Presence of Adonoy.
He [Avraham] stared at Sedom and Amorah, and the whole land of the plain, and he saw the heavy smoke rising from the earth like the smoke of a furnace.
When Elohim destroyed the cities of the plain; Elohim remembered Avraham, and He sent Lot out of the upheaval when He overturned the cities in which Lot had lived.
Lot went up from Zoar and lived in the mountain; and his two daughters went with him, for he was afraid to live in Zoar. He lived in a cave, he and his two daughters.
The older girl said to the younger, Our father is old, and there is no man [left] on earth who will come into us in the normal manner.
Come let us urge our father to drink wine, and sleep with him; that we may give life to seed [children] from our father.
They urged wine upon their father that night; and the older girl went in and slept with her father. He was not aware that she lay down or got up.
The next day, the older girl said to the younger, Last night I slept with my father. Let us urge wine upon him tonight also, and you go in and sleep with him that we may give life to seed from our father.
That night also, they urged their father [to drink] wine. The younger went up and slept with him, and he was not aware that she lay down or got up.
Lot’s two daughters became pregnant from their father.
The older girl gave birth to a son and she named him Moav. He is the ancestor of the Moabite nation even to this day.
The younger girl also gave birth to a son, and she named him Ben-Ami. He is the ancestor of the people of Ammon even to this day.
Legend of the Jews: THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SINFUL CITIES
The angels left Abraham at noon time, and they reached Sodom at the approach of evening. As a rule, angels proclaim their errand with the swiftness of lightning, but these were angels of mercy, and they hesitated to execute their work of destruction, ever hoping that the evil would be turned aside from Sodom. With nightfall, the fate of Sodom was sealed irrevocably, and the angels arrived there.
Bred in the house of Abraham, Lot had learnt from him the beautiful custom of extending hospitality, and when he saw the angels before him in human form, thinking they were wayfarers, he bade them turn aside and tarry all night in his house. But as the entertainment of strangers was forbidden in Sodom on penalty of death, he dared invite them only under cover of the darkness of night, and even then he had to use every manner of precaution, bidding the angels to follow him by devious ways.
The angels, who had accepted Abraham’s hospitality without delay, first refused to comply with Lot’s request, for it is a rule of good breeding to show reluctance when an ordinary man invites one, but to accept the invitation of a great man at once. Lot, however, was insistent, and carried them into his house by main force. At home he had to overcome the opposition of his wife, for she said, “If the inhabitants of Sodom hear of this, they will slay thee.”
Lot divided his dwelling in two parts, one for himself and his guests, the other for his wife, so that, if aught happened, his wife would be spared. Nevertheless it was she who betrayed him. She went to a neighbor and borrowed some salt, and to the question, whether she could not have supplied herself with salt during daylight hours, she replied, “We had enough salt, until some guests came to us; for them we needed more.” In this way the presence of strangers was bruited abroad in the city.
In the beginning the angels were inclined to hearken to the petition of Lot in behalf of the sinners, but when all the people of the city, big and little, crowded around the house of Lot with the purpose of committing a monstrous crime, the angels warded off his prayers, saying, “Hitherto thou couldst intercede for them, but now no longer.” It was not the first time that the inhabitants of Sodom wanted to perpetrate a crime of this sort. They had made a law some time before that all strangers were to be treated in this horrible way. Lot, who was appointed chief judge on the very day of the angels’ coming, tried to induce the people to desist from their purpose, saying to them, “My brethren, the generation of the deluge was extirpated in consequence of such sins as you desire to commit, and you would revert to them?” But they replied: “Back! And though Abraham himself came hither, we should have no consideration for him. Is it possible that thou wouldst set aside a law which thy predecessors administered?”
Even Lot’s moral sense was no better than it should have been. It is the duty of a man to venture his life for the honor of his wife and his daughters, but Lot was ready to sacrifice the honor of his daughters, wherefor he was punished severely later on.
The angels told Lot who they were, and what the mission that had brought them to Sodom, and they charged him to flee from the city with his wife and his four daughters, two of them married, and two betrothed. Lot communicated their bidding to his sons-in-law, and they mocked at him, and said: “O thou fool! Violins, cymbals, and flutes resound in the city, and thou sayest Sodom will be destroyed!” Such scoffing but hastened the execution of the doom of Sodom. The angel Michael laid hold upon the hand of Lot, and his wife and his daughters, while with his little finger the angel Gabriel touched the rock whereon the sinful cities were built, and overturned them. At the same time the rain that was streaming down upon the two cities was changed into brimstone.
When the angels had brought forth Lot and his family and set them without the city, he bade them run for their lives, and not look behind, lest they behold the Shekinah, which had descended to work the destruction of the cities. The wife of Lot could not control herself. Her mother love made her look behind to see if her married daughters were following. She beheld the Shekinah, and she became a pillar of salt. This pillar exists unto this day. The cattle lick it all day long, and in the evening it seems to have disappeared, but when morning comes it stands there as large as before.
The savior angel had urged Lot himself to take refuge with Abraham. But he refused, and said: “As long as I dwelt apart from Abraham, God compared my deeds with the deeds of my fellow-citizens, and among them I appeared as a righteous man. If I should return to Abraham, God will see that his good deeds outweigh mine by far.” The angel then granted his plea that Zoar be left undestroyed. This city had been founded a year later than the other four; it was only fifty-one years old, and therefore the measure of its sins was not so full as the measure of the sins of the neighboring cities.
The destruction of the cities of the plain took place at dawn of the sixteenth day of Nisan, for the reason that there were moon and sun worshippers among the inhabitants. God said: “If I destroy them by day, the moon worshippers will say, Were the moon here, she would prove herself our savior; and if I destroy them by night, the sun worshippers will say, Were the sun here, he would prove himself our savior. I will therefore let their chastisement overtake them on the sixteenth day of Nisan at an hour at which the moon and the sun are both in the skies.”
The sinful inhabitants of the cities of the plain not only lost their life in this world, but also their share in the future world. As for the cities themselves, however, they will be restored in the Messianic time.
The destruction of Sodom happened at the time at which Abraham was performing his morning devotions, and for his sake it was established as the proper hour for the morning prayer unto all times. When he turned his eyes toward Sodom and beheld the rising smoke, he prayed for the deliverance of Lot, and God granted his petition–the fourth time that Lot became deeply indebted to Abraham. Abraham had taken him with him to Palestine, he had made him rich in flocks, herds, and tents, he had rescued him from captivity, and by his prayer he saved him from the destruction of Sodom. The descendants of Lot, the Ammonites and the Moabites, instead of showing gratitude to the Israelites, the posterity of Abraham, committed four acts of hostility against them. They sought to compass the destruction of Israel by means of Balaam’s curses, they waged open war against him at the time of Jephthah, and also at the time of Jehoshaphat, and finally they manifested their hatred against Israel at the destruction of the Temple. Hence it is that God appointed four prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Zephaniah, to proclaim punishment unto the descendants of Lot, and four times their sin is recorded in Holy Writ.
Though Lot owed his deliverance to the petition of Abraham, yet it was at the same time his reward for not having betrayed Abraham in Egypt, when he pretended to be the brother of Sarah. But a greater reward still awaits him. The Messiah will be a descendant of his, for the Moabitess Ruth is the great-grandmother of David, and the Ammonitess Naamah is the mother of Rehoboam, and the Messiah is of the line of these two kings.
Reads like a little folklore and fantasy novel, right?! Personally, I believe folklore is more true than history books. Fun facts: when studying with many Rabbis or teachers of the Torah, they provide details of the “folklore.” This is better known as Talmudic, Zohar, or even Spiritual insights teachings. Of course, one is free to decide for themselves. I personally am a believer!
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Blessings after reading the Torah.
Boruch atoh ado-noy elo-haynu melech ho-olom, asher nosan lonu toras emes, v’cha-yay olom nota b’sochaynu. Boruch atoh ado-noy , nosayn ha-toroh.
Translation:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-D, King of the universe, who has given us the Torah of truth and planted eternal life within us. Blessed are You L-rd, who gives the Torah.
CREDIT LEARN THE TORAH BLESSINGS FOR AN ALIYAH
Biblical portion of Bible Study complete.
Chumash esource: sefaria.org and chabad.org
Today’s Bible Study is Complete.
Thank you Merciful HaShem, for allowing us to meet this day.(closing comment, Blessings After Reading The Torah, and Priestly Blessing and all sources are hyperlinked.)
note: All sources are hyperlinked to allow more translatable version in POD Cast.
I Pray others got something out of this Portion, Tanakh Bible Study, and Spiritual Torah Teaching.Until next time, let us close with…..
The Priestly Blessing
And HaShem our G-D spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
Yivarechecha Adonai viyishmirecha
Ya’er Adonai panav elecha veechuneka
Yeesa Adonai panav elecha viyasem lecha shalom
“The L-d bless you and keep you;
The L-d make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The L-d lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’
“So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
In HaShem and HaShem’s alone Mighty Glorious Name.
Forever and Ever
O’Amein and O’Amein.
(Cover Art created by Marie Speaks GOD’s Grace Bible Study: Photos , Apps, Internet pull, or facebook page .. credits are noted on art and or hyperlinked for credit)
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Blessings and Prayers.with Love truly,Marie
Let US Begin!!!!
Link to Rumble LIVE Bible Study:
Link to previous Bible Study:Audio POD Cast BLOG version of Bible Study: Audio of BLOG:Link to Youtube Live Link Bible Study:
cover art edit credit: When Harry met Sally, 1989.
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Rheena Velia Speaks G-D's Grace 
