Sforno on Sedom: Understanding the Dialogue Between Avraham and Hashem

Every year when we read about Sedom and Amorah, I can't help but feel like I'm watching a "reverse auction," in which Avraham Avinu quantitatively "bargains" for the lowest number of tzadikim that Hashem would be willing to save. This morning (10/22/21), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we learn through Sforno's commentary which sheds an entirely new light on the dialogue. Sforno shows how each of Avraham's questions is conceptually unique and each of Hashem's answers provides Avraham with a real insight into Hashem's derech of tzedakah and mishpat. Most importantly, we learn that the episode of Sedom and Amorah has practical implications for us, as the descendants of Avraham.