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Beit Midrash
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Lot is commanded not to look back. In the future, Am Yisrael will be commanded not to return to Egypt. What is the significance of this commandment? In both cases, we find, intermingled, the righteous and the wicked. In both cases, Am Yisrael absorbed some of the Egyptian culture (our Sages refer to Egypt’s "49 gates of impurity"), and Lot certainly absorbed the wicked culture of Sodom.
In order to be saved, a decision must be made: exactly where are you! To be saved, a clear-cut decision must be made to disconnect from evil and wickedness, and to connect to the inner self.
In both instances, one must finally leave that place, that home "arise and go out". Both narratives prohibit looking back or returning to Egypt – it is necessary to completely disconnect. Only severing the ties will bring salvation.
Thus, for example, it says in Mechilta d’Rabbi Yishmael in Parshat Bo (Masechta d’Pischa, Parsha 5): "He said to them, ‘remove your hands from idolatry, and cleave to the Mitzvot’." In order to be saved, Am Yisrael, which was immersed in a culture of idolatry, must totally withdraw from idol worship. They must make clear-cut decisions. They must disconnect from Egyptian culture. Only such a decision will bring salvation and redemption.
This explanation is reinforced by another parallel between "Pesach Egypt" and "Pesach Lot". Both cases demand action that entails great risks, while sending a signal that the rules or culture of that place are unacceptable. Lot risks his life by welcoming the guests into his home, thus demonstrating that he disconnected from Sodom and its ways. Am Yisrael slaughtered the sheep – the God of Egypt – thus announcing their disengagement from Egypt!
It was extremely difficult for Lot to disconnect from Sodom. In fact, the Torah describes that he "hesitated". His wife, on the other hand, could not disconnect. She looked back and became a pillar of salt.
Am Yisrael succeeded and disconnected – "they could not hesitate" – and as a result, they were saved from Egypt. (It is possible that they also may have hesitated, but Hashem helped them by having the Egyptians forcibly expel them, not giving them a chance to hesitate.)
In a beautiful Midrash, our Sages relate that despite the fact that idolatry took hold among Am Yisrael, Hashem, so to speak, disregarded it, thus saving His people:
Our Sages said: "Kol Dodi hineh zeh ba" refers to Moshe. When he addressed Am Yisrael and announced they would be redeemed in this month, they said: Moshe Rabbeinu, how can we be redeemed when all of Egypt is filled with the dirt of our idolatry? Moshe replied: since He desires your redemption, He does not look at your idol worship, but He "medaleg al he’harim" (skips over the mountains.)
And so it turns out that despite the practice of idol worship by Am Yisrael, their desire to disconnect from it caused the "Dod" to "skip over" that idolatry and redeem the Jewish people.
In both cases – "Pesach Egypt" and "Pesach Lot" – Matzot must be eaten. Matza expresses the concept of individuality and internalization of identity – the disengagement from foreign cultures. In order to be redeemed, we must regain our individuality and cut all ties with detrimental cultures.
This is pinnacle of redemption: the matza! Only by reaching a decision to disconnect and reject the influence of the cultures of Sodom and Egypt can we be redeemed.
At the conclusion of the Seder night, we recite the liturgical poem, "Ometz Gevuratecha". We refer to "Pesach Lot" and recall the parallels to "Pesach Egypt". In this manner, we understand the need to reject malfeasance and disconnect entirely from the inimical flaws from within. We can decide that were are servants of Hashem, and not subjugated by any other power!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
