Parshas Lech Lecha: Third Aliyah
What brought about Lot’s wealth? His going with Abram.
Lot’s herdsmen were wicked, and they pastured their animals in fields belonging to others. Abram’s herdsmen rebuked them for committing robbery, but they responded, “The land was given to Abram, who has no heir, so Lot will inherit him, and therefore this is not robbery.” But the Scripture states: “And the Canaanites and the Perizzites were ethen dwelling in the land,” and Abram had not yet been awarded its possession.
Abram and Lot resembled each other in their facial features. Therefore Abram said to Lot “for we are kinsmen.”
Lot chose the Plain of Jordan. Lot traveled from beside Abram and went away to the west of Abram. Hence he travelled from east to west. He distanced himself from the Ancient One of the world. He cared neither for Abram nor for his G-d.
Lot pitched tents for his herdsmen and his cattle until Sodom. He spread out.
Even though the people of Sodom were very evil and sinful against the Lord, Lot did not hesitate to sojourn with them.
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The people of Sodom were evil(rayim) with their bodies, and sinful(v’chatayim) with their money.
They recognized their Master and intended to rebel against Him.
“that if a man will be able to”: Just as it is impossible for the dust to be counted, so will your seed not be counted.
Mamre: the name of a man.
“after Lot had parted”: As long as the wicked man was with Abram, the Divine speech withdrew form him. When Lot was with him before, it is written “And the Lord appeared to Abram” so we must assume that at that time Lot was righteous (when he was with Abram).
