A major event in Parshat Lech Lecha is the “world war” between the four kings and the five kings. During this war, Lot, Avraham’s nephew who had moved to Sodom, was captured. Avraham sets out with a group of 318 men to fight the five victorious kings so that he can free his nephew. When Avraham is victorious, the King of Sodom tells Avraham to give him back “all the people (the souls) and take all the wealth for yourself.” Avraham responds hat he will take nothing. To emphasize his point, he raises his hand to heaven taking an oath, to take “not even a thread or a shoe strap or anything of yours, so you shall not say, ‘It is I who made Avram rich.’ ’’
Rav Dovid Hofstedter raises a very interesting question. Avraham had previously taken gifts from Pharaoh and would later take gifts from Avimelech. Why was he resolved not to take gifts from the King of Sodom? How would these gifts be different? Further, why is so adamant that he even swore to this resolution?
Click here for Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein.
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