Abraham and Lot: The Choice That Separated Family

When Abraham defied polytheistic beliefs and opposed the mighty King Nimrod, Hashem saved him from Nimrod's grasp in Ur Kasdim.

Ur Kasdim, identified through ancient traditions as Urfa (modern-day southern Turkey), is home to a site called "Abraham's Pool," named after our patriarch Abraham. Interestingly, the Torah refers to it by its ancient name, "Ur Kasdim." This name was in use during Abraham's lifetime, even as the nation later became known as the "Chaldeans."

Abraham's father, Terah, and his brother were not yet ready to embrace Abraham's beliefs and moved from Ur Kasdim to Haran. While the Ramban suggests Abraham was born in Haran and not Ur Kasdim, it's agreed that Haran featured cities named after Abraham's ancestors like Serug, Nahor, and Terah, hinting at their significant lineage.

Terah and his family left for Haran, originally intending "to go to Canaan," where the descendants of Shem, aligned with older beliefs, resided. Although the Shemites worshipped idols, they acknowledged an "Almighty" above their gods. Yet, they didn't know how to connect with Him or understand His singular power over the universe.

Hashem realized that as long as Abraham was surrounded by his family, their influence might hold him back. Therefore, Terah and Haran did not reach Canaan. After their passing, Hashem revealed Himself to Abraham and for the first time commanded: "Go forth from your country and from your birthplace and from your father's house"! Now alone, Abraham had to detach from his past, even his father's house, embarking on a journey to "the land that I will show you." This command marked the first covenant between the Creator and man, a defining moment transforming the world, securing the legacy of Abraham's descendants.

Accompanying Abraham was his nephew Lot. Influenced by Abraham, Lot followed his ways to some extent but chose differently when given the chance. According to our sages, Lot failed to prevent his livestock from grazing on others' land, a conduct incompatible with Abraham's pursuit of truth and justice. Unlike Ruth, Lot didn't take the effort to fully embrace the path of Hashem.

Lot looked upon the lush Jordan Valley, fertile and abundant with water, contrasting sharply with Abraham's challenging pastoral life, which required labor and nomadic vigilance. While Lot was tempted by the prosperity of the valley's cities—Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboyim, and Zoar—referred to as "paradise," Abraham understood his divine mission was to leave behind bustling cities, rich in material wealth yet spiritually lacking.