Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/150

 The Book of Genesis

132 their defeat by

the

four kings from the East, and of the

rescue of their captured

men and women and the restoration Tradition tells how very wicked

of the booty by Abraliam.

Because of the productivity of their land, they had become very wealthy. But unfortunately they had not learned from experience the truth of the wise saying of the rabbis, "Who is wise? He who rejoices in his portion." They had not learned to rejoice in their "portion, good and

these cities were.

pleasant

though

it

was,

but

frequently, their very wealth

instead,

as

happens,

had made them

alas,

dissatisfied

so

and

They did not understand that riches, too, are a God, given by Him only to be used, like all His gifts, for some purpose of good, and never for injustice and opTheir greed had made them selfish, heartless and pression. unscrupulous. Having much, they thought only of how they

covetous. gift of

Nor did they care how they got it. They were, so the rabbis told, particularly wicked in their treat-

might get more.

ment of strangers. If a stranger came to their city, one man would take some small thing, of so little value that it would not be missed, or if missed, would not be worth comAnother would do the same, and still anplaining about. other and soon the poor stranger would be robbed of everyOr if, thing, without being able to blame any one person. judges the For avail. perhaps, he did complain, it did not themselves were wicked and corrupt, and always received

a

portion

of

the

stolen

goods.

Therefore they invariably

decided against the stranger.

And

not only strangers did the Sodomites treat thus, but

even the poor and helpless of their own city. The rich and powerful knew how to take advantage of them and despoil them.

And from

the

treatment as strangers.

judges the poor received the same In fact, we are told, a law had even

been made, that whoever would give food or lodging or assistance to a poor man or a stranger, would be put to death.

How

different

from Abraham's righteous conduct, and how