The Torah tells us of Avraham's exceptional kindness and how he would trouble himself to a great extent to help travelers and strangers in need. G-d Blesses Avraham for all of his kindness to mankind and immediately turns to the story of Sodom and Amorrah. The people of Sodom and Amorah acted with total disregard for anyone else, they would leave the poor and needy to starve to death and would take advantage of anyone that they could. Instead of receiving blessing, G-d destroyed these people leaving no trace of them.

Rabbenu Bachaya asks why were the people of Sodom and Amorrah punished so severely? The entire episode occurred before the giving of the Torah so they weren't officially commanded with anything. How is it that their lack of hospitality and kindness along with their sly and scheming ways, was sufficient reason to destroy them all? He answers that although there are some commandments that a person wouldn't know if it were not for G-d commanding, the need to care for your fellow man when he is downtrodden and in need is a basic trait of humanity. Someone who see's another person in financial straits or in need of some other assistance and has the ability to help them but refuses with a callous heart, lacks a basic human compassion. A person who acts in such a way is despicable in the "Eyes" of G-d.

Just as there is a mitzvah to help strangers there is an obligation to first help those people who are in your community, and before that an obligation to help your family. The people of Sodom acted with cruelty and callousness to their own townspeople and neighbors which made their actions even more despicable. It is all too common for people of means to be willing to help all sorts of people and organizations but when it comes to their family members, their brother's or sister's, they can inexplicably disregard their plight and need. Sometimes the reasons are valid but in many cases people are stricken with the same traits as Soddom and Amorrah.

May we all follow in the path of Avraham who provided and cared for all.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath