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The social iniquities of Sodom & Gomorrah
Sodom and Gomorrah were prosperous cities – affluent in terms of precious water, pretty as the garden of Hashem, but its people were wicked and sinners. We witness their shameful manners as Lot tries to protect the visiting angels from the violent mob, but other than that, the Torah doesn’t specify what their great inequities were.
Rabbi Sa’ar Shaked
Beit Emanuel Progressive Synagogue, Parktown
Wherever there is a gap in the Biblical narrative, our master sages step in to tell us how they perceive the story. Their version is always colourful and insightful. They lived and created their magnificent literature mostly pertaining to the Roman Empire regime.
When referring to these stories, they address a period which is more than 1 000 years earlier than theirs. When we come to read their words, almost 2 000 years later, we can relate to them easily. The basic human condition hasn’t changed: We live in political structures and need to choose how we treat one another. Sodom and Gomorrah are a mirror to what a heartless society looks like.
“If one would put out a line of bricks, all would come and pick one, till none is left, and each one would say: ‘But I only took one.’ If one would put out garlics or onions (to dry), all would come and pick one, till none is left, and each one would say: ‘But I only took one.’
“If one would beat his fellow’s wife so she lost her baby they would tell the husband: ‘Let him have her so she would conceive again.’ If one would cut his fellow’s donkey’s ear they would tell the owner: ‘Give it to him till the ear will grow again.’ If one wounded his fellow they would tell the injured person: ‘Pay him, for it is a medical treatment.’
“They had a bed which every guest was forced to lie down on. If he was too long – they shortened him. If he was too short – they stretched him.”
The first story tells us about lack of respect for the labour and belongings of the other. One can’t expect the public space to be safe. Not only what is yours will be violated, it will be done in a disingenuous way: “What do you want from me? I took only one…”.
Interestingly, Tractate Avot defines the “notion of Sodom” as an understanding that I care only about what is mine and you care only for what is yours.
The second story indicates a corrupt legal system that fails to deliver justice and the third story points to what happens when equal treatment is forced regardless of the basic inequalities between people.
The stories of our master sages go on and on, covering the different aspect of social life, as if trying by the art of storytelling to explore how societies can be oppressive.
Should the obvious be stated? All social iniquities mentioned by these stories exist in our society. Let’s just hope we will manage to bring relief, justice and dignity.