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Hebrew Text
וַיְהִי בְּשַׁחֵת אֱלֹהִים אֶת־עָרֵי הַכִּכָּר וַיִּזְכֹּר אֱלֹהִים אֶת־אַבְרָהָם וַיְשַׁלַּח אֶת־לוֹט מִתּוֹךְ הַהֲפֵכָה בַּהֲפֹךְ אֶת־הֶעָרִים אֲשֶׁר־יָשַׁב בָּהֵן לוֹט׃
English Translation
And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Avraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot dwelt.
Transliteration
Vayehi beshachet Elohim et-arei hakikar vayizkor Elohim et-Avraham vayeshalach et-Lot mitoch hahafecha bahafoch et-he'arim asher-yashav bahen Lot.
Hebrew Leining Text
וַיְהִ֗י בְּשַׁחֵ֤ת אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־עָרֵ֣י הַכִּכָּ֔ר וַיִּזְכֹּ֥ר אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיְשַׁלַּ֤ח אֶת־לוֹט֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַהֲפֵכָ֔ה בַּהֲפֹךְ֙ אֶת־הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־יָשַׁ֥ב בָּהֵ֖ן לֽוֹט׃
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Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Berakhot 54b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the miracles God performed for the righteous, specifically mentioning how God remembered Abraham and saved Lot from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
📖 Sanhedrin 108b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing God's mercy in saving Lot due to Abraham's merit.
Divine Mercy and the Merit of Avraham
The verse states that Hashem remembered Avraham before rescuing Lot from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Rashi (Bereishit 19:29) explains that this "remembrance" refers to Hashem recalling Avraham's earlier plea to spare the cities if righteous people could be found there (Bereishit 18:23-33). Although the cities were ultimately destroyed, Lot was saved in the merit of Avraham's righteousness and his intercession.
Lot's Rescue as a Consequence of Avraham's Virtue
The Ramban (Bereishit 19:29) elaborates that Lot was unworthy of being saved based on his own merits, as he had chosen to live among the wicked people of Sodom. However, because he was Avraham's nephew and had accompanied him on his spiritual journey (before separating from him), Hashem showed him mercy in Avraham's merit. This demonstrates the concept of zechut avot (merit of the forefathers) and how the righteousness of tzaddikim can benefit their descendants.
The Nature of Divine "Remembering"
The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 51:8) notes that the term "ויזכור" ("and He remembered") does not imply that Hashem forgot Avraham, but rather signifies a shift to active divine intervention. The Sforno adds that this "remembering" reflects Hashem's attribute of justice being tempered with mercy, as Avraham's merit tipped the scales in Lot's favor despite the general judgment against Sodom.
Lot's Rescue During the Overthrow
The Talmud (Pesachim 54a) comments on the phrase "בהפך את הערים" ("when He overthrew the cities"), teaching that Lot was saved at the very moment of destruction. The Malbim explains that this precise timing demonstrates that Lot's rescue was miraculous—he was extracted from the midst of the upheaval, emphasizing that his survival was entirely due to divine intervention rather than natural means.