[Avodah] RSRH on Sexual Excesses

[Yitzchok Levine]

The following is from RSRH's commentary on Bereishis 18

20 And God said: Even if the outcry over Sedom 
and Amorah is already great, and their sin already weighs very heavily;

21 Nevertheless, I will go down and see whether 
the cry from this outcry that has come to Me is 
already sufficient to incur destruction. If
not, I will recognize [the individuals]

According to its structure and content, verse 20 is dependent on the
verse that follows it: “Although the guilt of Sodom and Gomorrah is
already known and is great and heavy, nevertheless, I will go down and
see . . .” Once again, the same two elements are mentioned: The outcry
(zahkah) over their heartlessness in human relations, their scorn for all
Tzedaka u mishpat, made them ra'im; and their 
moral degeneracy (Chatasom), their
forsaking Derech Hashem, made them Chataim (above, 13:13).

The outcry against their social sins was rabah, widespread, or, according
to R. Chanina (Bereshis Rabbah 49:5), rabah 
v'holechos, ever increasing. In this
respect, they were already condemned by their fellow men.

There is generally no outcry, however, over sexual excesses. People
think: these are not the concern of society, which can get along quite
well without morality; these are merely sins against God, and it makes
no difference if they become common practice. In any case, one should
excuse a person who indulges in them — Chavas nafsho hoo (Michah 7:3).

Over these sins of Sodom and Gomorrah there was no outcry among
people, but before God k'voda m'od, their sin weighed heavily on the land
and its future. Nature itself revolts against the abhorrent acts of Sodom,
as Scripture says: the land itself spews out its inhabitants who defile it
with their abominations (see Vayikra 18:28). 
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