Parashat Vayera: The Hidden Blessing in the Destruction of Sodom

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Le’iluy nishmat Rav Shlomo ben HaRav Yitzchak.

Good morning from Yerushalayim. I’m so grateful to be back home and to share a beautiful simcha — the engagement of our grandson last night. May we continue to celebrate many joyful moments together, surrounded by Hashem’s endless chesed.

Seeking a Message in Times of Change

Parashat Vayera is filled with stories — from Avraham’s hospitality to the Akeidah, from Sarah’s laughter to the destruction of Sodom. What central message can we take with us, especially during a time when the world feels so unstable?

When we look around, values seem to be turning upside down. Chaos spreads across the world, and yet — at the very same time — we also see powerful spiritual awakenings. Baruch Hashem, so many are finding their way back to faith. But we still hear the old, painful voices of hatred toward Am Yisrael.

What can we learn from Avraham Avinu to strengthen ourselves in these times?

Why Avraham Was Chosen

For the first time in the Torah, Hashem explains why He chose Avraham Avinu:

“Ki yedativ... lema’an asher yetzaveh et banav ve’et beito acharav la’asot tzedakah u’mishpat.”“For I know him, that he will instruct his children and his household after him to do righteousness and justice.” (Bereishit 18:19)

Hashem says: I love Avraham not only for his greatness, but because he transmits his values. He doesn’t live for himself. He teaches his children that the essence of life is to do what is good (tzedakah) and what is right (mishpat).

The Deeper Meaning of Tzedakah and Mishpat

Chazal teach that tzedakah means going lifnim mishurat hadin — beyond the letter of the law, acting with compassion and generosity. Mishpat means upholding justice and fairness.

We often think tzedakah means “extra” — an act of giving. But its root is tzedek, righteousness. When you give, you’re not doing something beyond your duty — you’re doing exactly what is right. This is what Hashem wants from us: a world built on chesed and justice.

Avraham and the Power of Morning Prayer

Avraham Avinu established Tefillat Shacharit, the morning prayer. Why Shacharit in particular?

In our parasha, we find twice the phrase “vayashkem Avraham baboker” — “Avraham rose early in the morning.” Once when he saw the destruction of Sodom, and again when he set out for the Akeidah.

You might think Shacharit was established at the Akeidah, but Chazal tell us it was actually when Avraham saw the destruction of Sodom. From that moment of devastation, he taught us to begin each morning with prayer — with hope.

Finding Strength Each Morning

Avraham teaches: Even when we go to bed broken or discouraged, a new morning brings new strength. When we open our eyes and say Modeh Ani, we remember that Hashem returned our soul — that we can begin again.

Even in times of success, Avraham prayed — reminding us that everything we have comes from siyata d’Shmaya, divine help. The message is simple: Never stop praying — in pain or in joy.

Understanding the Structure of Prayer

Each morning we rise and express gratitude (Modeh Ani), then move through Pesukei Dezimra — songs of praise that awaken joy. We declare Shema Yisrael, reaffirming our faith, and only then approach Shemoneh Esrei, where we ask for our needs.

This progression mirrors Avraham’s message: every blessing in life depends on tefillah, on our connection to Hashem.

The Wealth and Wickedness of Sodom

How could such a prosperous region be destroyed so completely?

Chazal tell us that Sodom was one of the richest lands in the world — like a paradise. But with all their wealth came cold selfishness. Their motto was: Sheli sheli, shelcha shelcha — “What’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is yours.”

They outlawed hospitality, refused kindness, and worshipped material success. Even Lot, who was allowed to settle there, was accepted only because he was wealthy. Their society had no compassion, no sharing — and therefore, no future.

Why Sodom Could Not Survive

Ramban explains that Eretz Yisrael cannot coexist with corruption and immorality. Sodom’s destruction by sulfur and salt symbolized an eternal message: holiness and wickedness cannot share the same soil.

Outside Eretz Yisrael, Hashem may wait for repentance; but within the Land, the standards are higher. Eretz Yisrael demands purity, chesed, and justice.

The Deeper Meaning of Salt

Why was Sodom destroyed with salt?

At Creation, the mayim tachtonim — lower waters — cried out that they wanted to be close to Hashem, like the heavenly waters. Hashem comforted them, saying: “When My children bring korbanot, they will salt every offering — and that salt will rise to Me.”

Salt, then, symbolizes yearning for elevation — the desire to rise higher spiritually.

The Power of Giving: Melach Mamon Chaser

Chazal say: Melach mamon chaser — “The salt of money is giving it away.”

Salt preserves food. Likewise, giving away some of our wealth “preserves” it. Hashem blesses us with abundance so that we can share it. True preservation of success comes through generosity.

Sodom’s mistake was the opposite: they refused to share. They hoarded their blessings, and all that remained of them — was salt.

Lot’s Wife: A Warning About Looking Back

When the angels warned Lot’s family not to look back, they meant: don’t long for what you must leave behind. Don’t feel nostalgic for a world built on selfishness.

But Lot’s wife turned back — vatabet mei’acharav. Rav Dessler explains that she felt sorrow for Sodom, for the wealth they were losing. And so she became a pillar of salt — frozen in the very substance of her misplaced attachment.

Hashem’s message is clear: to move forward in life, we must let go of the values of Sodom — self-interest, greed, and indifference — and embrace the path of chesed.

Hope and Redemption Amid Destruction

And yet — even within the ashes of Sodom, a spark of redemption was hidden.

The angels told Lot: “Take your two daughters hanimtza’ot — who are found.” The word hanimtza’ot (without a vav) can also read hanimtzet — “something to be found.”

Chazal teach that something precious — a metziah — emerged from Sodom’s destruction. From Lot’s daughters came Moav and Ammon. From Moav came Ruth HaMoaviyah, the ancestor of Mashiach. From Ammon came Na’amah HaAmonit, wife of Shlomo HaMelech.

From the darkest place came the deepest light.

Finding Light After Darkness

We’ve seen this truth in our own times. Amid tragedy, Am Yisrael has discovered unity, strength, and emunah. When we hear stories of hostages returning and speaking with faith, we are reminded that in the deepest darkness, the greatest clarity can emerge.

Hashem is always there. There is always a new morning waiting to begin.

The Power of Prayer and Connection

Avraham Avinu teaches us to recognize the power of prayer — to remember how close Hashem is to us at every moment. Our purpose in life is to call out to Him, to trust that He hears every single cry.

May we all find hidden blessings even in times of confusion. May we greet each morning with gratitude and hope, and may our tefillot rise like salt on the altar — connecting us to Hashem and to one another.

With love from Yerushalayim,

Rebbetzin Chavi Golovenshitz