Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is happening in Genesis 19:35?
A: In Genesis 19:35, Lot's two daughters give their father wine to drink, and the younger daughter lies with him while he is unaware. This event occurs after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, when Lot and his daughters are living in a cave. According to Rashi, the daughters mistakenly believed that the entire world had been destroyed (like in the Flood), and they acted to preserve humanity by having children with their father.
Q: Why did Lot's daughters do this?
A: Lot's daughters believed they were the only survivors after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, as Rashi explains. Thinking no other men were left, they resorted to this extreme measure to continue the human race. The Talmud (Nazir 23a) discusses their intentions, noting that while their actions were wrong, they acted out of a misguided sense of necessity.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this story?
A: This story teaches the dangers of acting based on mistaken assumptions and the importance of seeking proper guidance. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 51:8) emphasizes that Lot's daughters should have sought divine direction rather than taking matters into their own hands. It also highlights the consequences of excessive wine consumption, as Lot's unawareness was due to intoxication.
Q: How does Jewish tradition view the actions of Lot's daughters?
A: Jewish tradition, as discussed in the Talmud and Midrash, views their actions as morally wrong but acknowledges their misguided intentions. The Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Issurei Biah 1:7) categorizes such relationships as forbidden, regardless of circumstances. However, some commentaries suggest that their descendants (the nations of Moab and Ammon) were later permitted to convert and join the Jewish people, showing a complex legacy.
Q: Why is this story included in the Torah?
A: The Torah includes this story to provide historical context for the origins of the Moabite and Ammonite nations (descendants of Lot's daughters) and to teach moral lessons about human frailty and the consequences of impulsive decisions. As the Ramban explains, the Torah does not shy away from recording difficult events to provide guidance and warning for future generations.
Context in Parshat Vayera
This verse (Bereishit 19:35) describes the actions of Lot's daughters following the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. After fleeing to a cave, they believed the entire world had been destroyed and took extreme measures to perpetuate humanity through their father.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi comments that the daughters gave Lot wine because they understood that he would not consciously engage in such behavior while sober. The phrase "וַתַּשְׁקֶיןָ גַּם בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא" ("they made him drink wine that night also") implies this was not their first attempt, showing their determination to fulfill what they saw as a necessary act for humanity's survival.
Moral and Halachic Considerations
Psychological Insight from the Daughters' Perspective
The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 51:8) explains that the daughters genuinely believed they were the last survivors on earth. Their actions, while halachically forbidden, stemmed from a distorted sense of responsibility to repopulate the world. The younger daughter is specifically mentioned as initiating this second night, showing their shared conviction.
Lot's Unawareness
The phrase "וְלֹא־יָדַע בְּשִׁכְבָהּ וּבְקֻמָהּ" ("he perceived not when she lay down nor when she arose") is interpreted by the Malbim as showing Lot's complete intoxication and moral detachment. This contrasts with his earlier hospitality in Sodom, demonstrating his spiritual decline.
Lessons in Moral Clarity
The Kli Yakar emphasizes that while the daughters may have had noble intentions, their failure to seek proper guidance (as Noah's family did after the flood) led to forbidden relationships. This teaches the importance of maintaining moral boundaries even in extreme situations.