P
arshas Vayeira
“And the two angels came to Sedom in the evening and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sedom. And Lot saw them and he rose to meet them and he bowed face to the earth.” (Bereishis 19:1)
This incident of Lot hosting the angels prompts introspection. Lot chose to live in Sedom whose inhabitants were evil as it says (13:11): “And Lot journeyed east (mikedem).” Chazal explain that he traveled “from the Predecessor (Kidmono) of the world.” His wife was a Sedomite and his sons-in-law were evil Sedomites.
Lot was saved from Sedom only in the merit of Avraham as Rashi says (19:17): “You did evil with them and are being saved only in the merit of Avraham. You’re not worthy of seeing their tribulation while you’re being saved.”
Another interesting point is that Rashi explains the words “And Lot was sitting in the gate of Sedom” to mean “He was appointed that day as a judge over them.” Naturally he had to judge according to the laws of Sedom that ruled hachnassas orchim a crime.
