The Power of a Single Cry: Lessons from Sodom and Avraham Avinu (2022)

Good morning, everyone. Have you ever imagined waking up to hear that one of the world's largest cities—New York, Shanghai, Tokyo—had vanished, leaving only a heap of ash and a lingering smell of burnt destruction? How could such a thing be possible?

This is precisely what happened to Sodom. Once the richest, most flourishing region in the world, surrounded by powerful kings, it was utterly wiped off the map. No trace remains of what those towns once looked like. Why? As the Torah states, "The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and their sin is very grievous." What message can we take from this for ourselves this week? I believe it's about the power of a single cry, the power of one Tefillah (prayer), and the power of one act of kindness.

Avraham's Hospitality: The Enduring Impact of Kindness

We know that Avraham Avinu, even on the third day after his Brit Milah, a time when any normal person would focus solely on recovery, was restless. He longed to perform hachnasat orchim (hospitality). He didn't want people to think that because he had embraced Judaism, he would cut himself off from the world. On the contrary, he felt an even greater urgency to spread Hashem's name. This was his greatness: the more he elevated himself, the closer he felt to all humanity.

Despite the extreme heat, which Hashem had intensified to spare Avraham from visitors, Avraham sent Eliezer out to find guests. When Hashem saw Avraham's distress at not being able to fulfill this mitzvah, He sent three angels. Why do I highlight this one act of kindness? Our Sages tell us that for every action Avraham performed, Hashem repaid his descendants later in history. From offering water to serving them under the shade of a tree, countless blessings and mitzvot were bestowed upon his progeny because of this single act of hospitality.

It's also told that when Avraham went looking for a calf to serve his guests, one calf ran away, leading him to Ma'arat Hamachpela (the Cave of Machpela). This is how Avraham discovered and, as we'll read next week, eventually bought this sacred burial place.

We often underestimate the power of a single act, wondering if it truly matters. But we must know that every act of chesed (kindness), every mitzvah, every positive action we undertake, is preserved and valued by Hashem. An angel is created, and it is recorded in Heaven. While we don't perform kindness solely for reward, we must understand that Hashem knows exactly when and how to reward the righteous. Every single act is registered, kept, and valued.

Sodom's Downfall: The Absence of Compassion

Now, let's turn to the destruction of Sodom. How could such a prosperous region, the most blessed and bountiful part of Eretz Yisrael, be utterly annihilated and transformed into salt mounds due to corrupt behavior?

Hashem chose Avraham Avinu because He knew Avraham's life purpose was to transmit a positive legacy to his children: "For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Hashem, to do tzedakah (charity) and mishpat (justice)." Our Sages point out that by Avraham, charity comes before law, meaning he often went beyond what the law demanded.

Sodom, however, was built on the philosophy of "Sheli sheli, shelach shelach" – "What is mine is mine, and what is yours is yours." This was their "law." They believed in absolute non-interference; everyone lived a parallel life, with no connection to others. Yet, the entire purpose of creation is "Olam Chesed Yibaneh" – "The world is built on kindness." The Book of Bereishit, devoid of many explicit mitzvot, teaches us the profound importance of chesed and charity, reflecting Hashem's own attributes as a loving Father who constantly gives.

Sodom, despite its wealth, rejected this concept. They forbid poor people from entering their town, fearing it would diminish their possessions. This is why they were punished with salt, and Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of salt. Salt itself is bitter, but when added to food, it gives it delicious taste. Hashem was teaching us that material wealth (the "bitter" part) must be elevated through connection to Him, through mitzvot, tzedakah, and chesed. Sodom only wanted the physical part, the bitter part, failing to connect the material to the spiritual.

The Hebrew word Melech (salt) also contains the letters for Lechem (bread). We dip bread in salt, reminding us not to eat simply for the sake of eating, but to elevate it by making a blessing before and after, transforming it into something spiritual. "Melech" also hints at "Hamel" (to have pity). We must use what we have to pity and share with others. This is the true purpose of living in Eretz Yisrael. Sodom did the opposite, leading to their doom.

One Cry, World Transformation

When Hashem decided to destroy Sodom, the Torah states, "The cry concerning Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and their sin is very grievous." Hashem heard one terrible cry. The Midrash tells us this was the cry of Lot's daughter, a young girl who retained the goodness learned from Avraham's house. She secretly fed a poor man, defying Sodom's laws. When discovered, she was tortured with honey and stung by bees until she died. Her dying scream reached Heaven. Hashem declared that because of that single cry, He would destroy Sodom.

As the Rambam teaches, each person should consider themselves as deciding the fate of the entire world. Every act we commit can tip the scales towards good or bad. This one little girl, through her ultimate act of kindness and her final cry, became the catalyst for Sodom's destruction. Hashem always hears a single cry. We must always cry out in a positive way, and Hashem will surely hear us.

We see this again with Yishmael. When Sarah saw Yishmael's negative influence on Yitzchak, she urged Avraham to send them away. Hashem told Avraham, "Listen to whatever Sarah tells you." Later, in the desert, when Yishmael was dying of thirst, the angels argued that he should perish. But the Torah says, "Hashem heard the voice of the lad." Why? Because, as Rashi explains, when he prayed, he cried out with his whole heart. No matter his character, at that moment of pure prayer, Hashem listened and saved him.

Finding the Precious Diamond: Hope in Despair

Finally, when the angels saved Lot and his two daughters from Sodom, the Torah says, "Take your two daughters who are nimtzot with you." Our Sages connect "nimtzot" (found) to the idea of finding something unexpected, like a hidden treasure. In the most corrupt place, Sodom, could anything good be found? Yes!

From Lot's daughters came Moab and Amon, problematic nations. Yet, from Moab emerged Ruth the Moabitess, who later became the mother of royalty, the ancestor of King David. She was a "metzia" (a precious find), demonstrating immense dedication to connect to Hashem and Torah, starting a new life. From the most corrupt of nations, she became "Ima shel Malchut" – the mother of royalty.

This teaches us: never give in to despair. Even in the seemingly darkest places, Hashem can find a precious diamond. There is always hope for a person.

Avraham Avinu, after the Akedah, declared, "Hashem Yireh" – "Hashem sees." Hashem sees everything, knows everything, and listens to every single cry.

I'd like to end with a story I heard this week. Decades ago in England, a baby boy was born with a severe medical condition, given no chance of survival. On Friday morning, the baby was still alive. The father, in Manchester, asked the Rosh Yeshiva whether he should make a Shalom Zachar. The Rosh Yeshiva urged him to have emunah and bitachon (trust), to make the Shalom Zachar, and to daven. He did. A week later, the doctors miraculously declared the baby would live. This is the power of emunah and the power of Tefillah.

Just as Sarah Imeinu initially laughed when told she would have a child, underestimating the power of the angels' blessing, we must never underestimate the power of a Bracha (blessing). Even in the most desperate situations, a single blessing has the power to bring salvation.

May Hashem send us all the Yeshua (salvation) we need and guide us in our daily lives.

Have a wonderful Shabbat