Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 'that we may know them' mean in Genesis 19:5?
A: In Genesis 19:5, when the people of Sodom say 'that we may know them,' Rashi explains that this phrase refers to their intent to commit immoral acts. The word 'know' (וְנֵדְעָה) here is a euphemism for sexual wrongdoing, highlighting the wickedness of Sodom's inhabitants, which is why they were ultimately punished.
Q: Why did the people of Sodom demand that Lot bring out his guests?
A: The Midrash (Genesis Rabbah 50:5) teaches that the people of Sodom had a cruel law forbidding hospitality to strangers. When Lot welcomed guests into his home, they sought to harm them, reflecting their extreme cruelty and moral corruption, which was the opposite of Abraham’s trait of kindness (chesed).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 19:5 about hospitality?
A: Genesis 19:5 contrasts Lot’s attempt at hospitality (hachnasat orchim) with Sodom’s evil behavior. Jewish tradition emphasizes the importance of welcoming guests with kindness, as Abraham did. The people of Sodom, however, were so corrupt that they sought to harm strangers, teaching us the moral obligation to protect and care for others.
Q: How does the Torah show the severity of Sodom’s sins in this verse?
A: The Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Repentance 3:1) explains that the sins of Sodom were so severe because they were committed with full awareness and cruelty. Their demand to 'know' Lot’s guests (Genesis 19:5) demonstrates their complete moral decay, which is why their punishment was swift and total.
Q: Why is Lot’s response to the people of Sodom important?
A: Lot’s refusal to hand over his guests (as seen later in the chapter) shows that, despite living in Sodom, he retained some moral decency. However, the Talmud (Sanhedrin 109b) critiques Lot for initially settling among such wicked people, teaching that one must be careful about the influences of their surroundings.
Context of the Verse
The verse (Bereshit 19:5) describes the wicked men of Sodom demanding that Lot hand over the guests (who were actually angels in human form) who had entered his home that night. The phrase "וְנֵדְעָה אֹתָם" ("that we may know them") is understood by our Sages as referring to sexual immorality, reflecting the depravity of Sodom.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi explains that the Sodomites sought to "know" the guests in an unnatural way, consistent with their reputation for sexual perversion. He cites the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 50:7) which states that the people of Sodom were steeped in immoral behavior, and this demand was characteristic of their corrupt society.
Rambam's Perspective
In Moreh Nevuchim (3:49), Rambam discusses how the sins of Sodom included not only sexual immorality but also cruelty and a rejection of hospitality—core violations of derech eretz (proper conduct) and tzedakah (charity). Their demand to harm guests was emblematic of their broader societal corruption.
Talmudic and Midrashic Insights
Moral Lesson
This verse serves as a stark warning against the dangers of societal corruption, particularly the rejection of hospitality and the embrace of cruelty. The destruction of Sodom is a reminder of the consequences when a society abandons basic ethical principles, as outlined in the Torah.