Vayera: Chapter 21

"But his wife looked back"

Synopsis

The Zohar divulges the spiritual significance of a Biblical story about Lot and his wife. In the literal story, Lot's wife is turned into a pillar of salt when she turns to look behind her husband. In reality, she looked into the face of the Angel of Destruction. The Angel of Destruction can only wreak havoc and devastation when we look him in the face.

Relevance

Our five senses restrict us to a narrow, limited view of reality. We journey through life wearing blinders. Consequently, we stumble into negative circumstances that create upheaval and turmoil. However, we can receive assistance from the Creator, enlightening our consciousness to His spiritual direction. This assistance guides and protects us so that we never come face-to-face with destructive entities at anytime in our life.

Angels Lot Shechinah

287. Of the verse, "But his wife looked back from behind him" (Beresheet 19:26), he asks, Why is it written "from behind him" rather than 'from behind her,' namely, behind the Shechinah. AND Rabbi Yosi replies, "from behind him" MEANS from behind Lot, as the Angel of Destruction went behind him. AND HE ASKS, How could THE ANGEL OF DESTRUCTION have followed behind him after sending him away? AND HE REPLIES, The Angel of Destruction refrained from destroying any place where Lot went. But the Angel of Destruction overthrew the place from which he had departed.

287. וַתַּבֵּט אִשְׁתּוֹ מֵאַחֲרָיו, מֵאַחֲרֶיהָ מִבָּעֵי לֵיהּ, אֶלָּא מִבָּתַר שְׁכִינְתָּא, ר' יוֹסֵי אֲמַר, מִבַּתְרֵיהּ דְּלוֹט, דִּמְחַבְּלָא אָזִיל אֲבַתְרֵיהּ, וְכִי אֲבַתְרֵיהּ אָזִיל, וְהָא הוּא שַׁדַּר לֵיהּ, אֶלָּא בְּכָל אֲתַר דַּהֲוָה אָזִיל לוֹט, אִתְעַכַּב מְחַבְּלָא לְחַבָּלָא, וְכָל אֲתַר דְּאָזִיל כְּבָר, וְשָׁבִיק לַאֲחוֹרֵיהּ, הֲוָה מְהַפֵּךְ לֵיהּ מְחַבְּלָא.

Angels Destruction Face Lot Pillar Salt

288. This is why THE ANGEL OF DESTRUCTION said to him, "Look not behind you," because everything behind you I will destroy. Therefore, it is written, "But his wife looked from behind him," and saw the Angel of Destruction. As a result, "she became a pillar of salt." As long as the Angel of Destruction does not see a person's face, he does not destroy them. But as Lot's wife did turn her face back to look "from behind him," she immediately "became a pillar of salt."

288. וּבְגִין כָּךְ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ, אַל תַּבֵּט אַחֲרֶיךָ, דְּהָא אֲנָא אֲחַבֵּל בַּתְרָךְ, וְעַל דָּא כְּתִיב, וַתַּבֵּט אִשְׁתּוֹ מֵאַחֲרָיו. וַחֲמַת מְחַבְּלָא, כְּדֵין וַתְּהִי נְצִיב מֶלַח. דְּהָא בְּכָל זִמְנָא דִּמְחַבְּלָא, לָא חָמֵי אַנְפּוֹי דְּבַר נָשׁ, לָא מְחַבֵּיל לֵיהּ, כֵּיוָן דְּאִתְּתֵיהּ אֲהַדְּרַת אַנְפָּהָא, לְאִסְתַּכָּלָא אֲבַתְרֵיהּ, מִיָּד וַתְּהִי נְצִיב מֶלַח.

<
>