56. Come and behold, we see examples in the case of Elisha who thrust away Gechazi, and in the case of Abraham and Lot. As long as Lot was with Abraham, Lot did not associate with the wicked. But as soon as he left him, it is written, "Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan...and pitched his tent toward Sodom" (Beresheet 13:11-12), followed by "And the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before Hashem exceedingly" (Ibid. 13). SO WE SEE THAT HE DID JOIN THE WICKED!

88. Since they have separated themselves from each other, it is written, "Abraham dwelt in the land of Canaan" (Beresheet 13:12), WHICH MEANS THAT the soul has settled among the righteous in a good and peaceful settlement. "And Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain" MEANS THAT the cursed adversary went to prosecute and join the wicked in their dwellings. As it is written, "and pitched his tent toward Sodom," followed by, "And the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinners before Hashem exceedingly" (Beresheet 13:13). There he dwelt and set his residence among them; he joined them, so that he could deceive them and destroy them by evil deeds.

179. THE LAND OF CANAAN IS THE SECRET OF THE NUKVA, AND, AND IT IS WRITTEN, "Abraham dwelt in the land of Canaan" IN ORDER to cleave to the place of the Faith, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE NUKVA, and to attain knowledge about the Wisdom of his Master. Lot, however, "dwelt in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom," WHICH MEANS THAT he became associated with the wicked of the world, who departed from the Faith. They are described by the verse, "But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and great sinners before Hashem." Each one departed and went his own way, ABRAHAM TO THE PATH OF HOLINESS, AND LOT TO THE WICKED. Because of this, happy are those friends, who study Torah day and night, as they cleave to the Holy One, blessed be He. THEY DO AS ABRAHAM DID, AND NOT AS LOT. Of them it is written, "But you that did cleave to Hashem your Elohim are alive every one of you this day" (Devarim 4:4).