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Genesis 18:28 - Pleading for mercy, sparing few righteous?

Genesis 18:28 - בראשית 18:28

Hebrew Text

אוּלַי יַחְסְרוּן חֲמִשִּׁים הַצַּדִּיקִם חֲמִשָּׁה הֲתַשְׁחִית בַּחֲמִשָּׁה אֶת־כָּל־הָעִיר וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא אַשְׁחִית אִם־אֶמְצָא שָׁם אַרְבָּעִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה׃

English Translation

perhaps there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt Thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And He said, If I find there forty five, I will not destroy it.

Transliteration

Ulay yachserun chamishim hatzadikim chamisha hatashchit bachamisha et-kol-ha'ir vayomer lo ashchit im-emtza sham arba'im vachamisha.

Hebrew Leining Text

א֠וּלַ֠י יַחְסְר֞וּן חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים הַצַּדִּיקִם֙ חֲמִשָּׁ֔ה הֲתַשְׁחִ֥ית בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה אֶת־כׇּל־הָעִ֑יר וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית אִם־אֶמְצָ֣א שָׁ֔ם אַרְבָּעִ֖ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃
א֠וּלַ֠י יַחְסְר֞וּן חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים הַצַּדִּיקִם֙ חֲמִשָּׁ֔ה הֲתַשְׁחִ֥ית בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה אֶת־כׇּל־הָעִ֑יר וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית אִם־אֶמְצָ֣א שָׁ֔ם אַרְבָּעִ֖ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereishit 18:28) is part of Avraham Avinu's dialogue with Hashem regarding the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. Avraham pleads for the cities, negotiating with Hashem to spare them if a certain number of righteous individuals can be found. Here, he asks whether Hashem would destroy the entire city if there were 45 righteous people (five short of fifty). Hashem responds that He would not destroy it for the sake of 45.

Avraham's Negotiation Strategy

Rashi explains that Avraham's approach was methodical and incremental. He began by asking about fifty righteous people (Bereishit 18:24) and gradually reduced the number, demonstrating his deep concern for justice and mercy. The Talmud (Berachot 7a) notes that Avraham's negotiation reflects the principle of "midah keneged midah" (measure for measure)—just as Avraham showed compassion, Hashem responded with compassion.

The Significance of the Numbers

  • Fifty Righteous: The number fifty may allude to the minimum required for a community to be considered morally sustainable, as seen in the concept of a "minyan" for certain communal mitzvot (Megillah 23b).
  • Forty-Five: Avraham's reduction to forty-five (five short of fifty) suggests that even a slight deficiency in righteousness should not warrant total destruction. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 49:9) highlights Avraham's argument that the merit of the righteous could protect the wicked.

Hashem's Response: Divine Mercy

Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 3:5) emphasizes that Hashem's willingness to spare the city for even a small number of righteous individuals demonstrates His attribute of mercy. The verse underscores that the presence of tzaddikim can sustain the world, as stated in the Talmud (Yoma 38b): "The world exists only in the merit of the righteous."

Lessons in Advocacy and Prayer

The Maharal (Gur Aryeh) notes that Avraham's dialogue teaches the power of intercessory prayer and advocacy for others. Even when confronting Divine judgment, one should seek every possible avenue to invoke mercy. This aligns with the Talmudic principle (Shabbat 10a) that one should always plead for compassion, even when justice seems absolute.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 7a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about divine justice and the merit of the righteous, illustrating how God's mercy is contingent upon the presence of righteous individuals.
📖 Sanhedrin 99b
The verse is cited in a broader discussion about the concept of divine justice and the role of the righteous in averting destruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening in Genesis 18:28?
A: In Genesis 18:28, Abraham is pleading with Hashem to spare the city of Sodom if there are righteous people found within it. He asks if Hashem would destroy the entire city if there are 45 righteous people (instead of the initial 50 he mentioned earlier). Hashem responds that He would not destroy it for the sake of 45 righteous people.
Q: Why did Abraham negotiate with Hashem about Sodom?
A: Abraham negotiated with Hashem out of compassion for all people, even the wicked, and to understand Hashem's justice (Rashi on Genesis 18:23). He also wanted to establish that the righteous should not be punished along with the wicked (Midrash Bereishit Rabbah 49:6).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Abraham's plea in this verse?
A: We learn the importance of advocating for others (even those who may not deserve it) and the power of prayer. Abraham teaches us to approach Hashem with humility and persistence when seeking mercy (Rambam, Hilchot Teshuvah 3:4).
Q: Why did Abraham reduce the number from 50 to 45 righteous people?
A: Abraham gradually lowered the number to test the limits of Hashem's mercy and to see how far divine patience would extend (Rashi on Genesis 18:28). This shows his deep concern for justice and his hope that even a small number of righteous people could save many.
Q: How does this verse relate to the concept of 'zechut' (merit) in Judaism?
A: This verse illustrates the principle that the merit (zechut) of righteous individuals can protect an entire community (Talmud Yoma 38b). Even a few righteous people can bring divine mercy upon many, emphasizing the importance of every individual's actions.