IThe city of Sedom spiraled to its destruction. The court system was corrupt, the people acted immorally. They had even outlawed people from hospitality and from practicing kindness. G-d could not find a redeeming factor and was prepared to destroy them.

But before G-d authorized the destruction of Sedom, He declared, "How can I hide this from Avraham?!" One wonders, "Why not?" Why can't G-d destroy Sedom without consulting Avraham?

To understand Avraham's relationship to Sedom, we need to appreciate Avraham's role in the world. When Avraham started out, he was merely a nice person who shared his ideas with others. But as time went on Avraham became a leader. He became a mentor to all. It would be through Avraham that the world would learn the concepts of morality and kindness.
Sedom was a neighboring city to the place where Avraham lived. Just as a principal would not throw a child out of the school without first consulting with the teacher, so G-d would not eliminate Sedom without first discussing it with Avraham. "These are your students, your charges," G-d was telling Avraham. "Is there still hope, or are they destroying everyone around them by their misbehavior?"

Interestingly, Avraham asked G-d to spare Sedom if there were ten righteous people in the city. What did Avraham need ten righteous people for?

Avraham understood why G-d revealed to him the plan to destroy Sedom.  In effect G-d was asking Avraham if he was willing to accept the task to retake the streets of Sedom for morality. Avraham said, "If there are ten righteous people..." Avraham didn't need ten people in Sedom in order to make a minyan for mincha. Avraham  needed a beachhead from which to launch his campaign to retake the streets of Sedom. Avraham asked, "Are there ten likeminded people in the city who will work with me? Are there people who will raise the banner of G-d, people who will host a home-study?  If so, I'm ready to take on the challenge and try to retake the city."

Ultimately, the city of Sedom wasn't destroyed because of its wickedness. The city of Sedom was destroyed because there weren't ten righteous people to help Avraham with his mission.

I recall that a few years ago when I was in my first Rabbinic position I received a call from one of the prestigious members of that community. After congratulating me on the new position, he said, "I have one favor to ask of you. Please don't make the shul into a center for Torah programming." I asked him, "Why do you say that?" He replied, "Because I know that if you run Torah classes, people will come. They will be inspired, and they will grow. You would irreversibly change the face of the community. I am asking you not to do that."

To me, his comments were an eye-opener. Here was a man who truly understood what a few dedicated Jews are capable of.

Normally in this Parsha column I do not give homework. This week, however, I would like to share with you a little assignment. You may choose to do it on your own. Or, perhaps you will choose to do it as a discussion with friends and family at the Shabbos table. The homework is to consider this question: What would have happened if G-d had answered, "Yes". What would Avraham have done if G-d had said, "Yes, there are ten righteous people, and it is your job to retake the city."

The Torah doesn't say what Avraham would have done, because Sedom didn't have ten righteous people. But the cities that most of us live in do have many more than ten righteous people. And although the cities we live in are not analogous to Sedom, we certainly live near many Jews who could use a word of Torah encouragement.

What strategies would Avraham have employed had the answer been "Yes"? What methods would he have used to reach families, children, and individuals?

Would Avraham have started classes or began a series of special events?

Would he have initiated an open house "shabbaton," or perhaps met with the residents of the city one at a time in their homes?

Would he have built a day school for the children, or perhaps started an after school program?

These are questions worth exploring. Because whatever Avraham would have done, that is what we- his loyal students- should be prepared to do.

With best wishes for a wonderful Shabbos,

Rabbi Mordechai Rhine
Young Israel of Cherry Hill
Torah Links of Cherry Hill
www.teach613.org

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ATTENTION WOMEN: Please hold the date: Motzoei Shabbos, December 13 for an evening of inspiration for Women and girls, featuring a dramatic movie/ play on Shemiras Halashon.
Enjoy a wonderful evening with friends while experiencing this most powerful DVD presentation enetitled, "From Outside the Camp." Doors open at 8:15pm. Presentation begins at 8:30pm.
Suggested minimum donation is $10, which includes light refreshments.
At Young Israel of Cherry Hill, 817 Cooper Landing Road
For more information please contact yittie.rhine@gmail.com or Cindy at katz_crew@yahoo.com

Rebetzin Tehilla Jaeger and Rebetzin Tzipporah Heller will address the women of Cherry Hill with a video presentation entitled "The Life-giving Power of Prayer". This Sunday evening November 16 at 7:30 PM at Young Israel of Cherry Hill 817 Cooper Landing Rd.
Admission is by donation. Funds collected going to support Aniyei Eretz Yisrael.

A special children's event with Mordechai the Music Man is being planned for December 14 at 1:00pm at Young Israel of Cherry Hill. For more information please call Dan Eisenstein at 667-2136.

This week!
Perek Shira: Song of the Universe, got off to a super start. This Monday the topic will be "The Pomegranate and me". For men and women- Newcomers are welcome-Monday evenings at 8:00pm.To RSVP or for more information please call Shari at 856-321-0577.

Back to the Basics: A new text based course on the laws of daily living, will meet this Sunday, at 10:00am, at Young Israel of Cherry Hill. We will focus of the laws of Mezuzah. For men and women! For more information contact Cindy at 856- 809-0640.

The Mitzvah Series , continues 6:30pm on Tuesdays at the Torah Links Judaic Center. This week we will begin the topic of daily prayer, and prayer in times of crisis. For more information contact Yuri at 856- 809-0640.

TAKE TEN FOR TALMUD: Mini-Daf Yomi class (Highlights of the Daf) meets fifteen minutes before shacharis in Young Israel. Join this group for rapid, advanced Talmud study. For more information contact Abe at 856- 414-1095.

Shacharis in Young Israel of Cherry Hill is 6:45am weekday mornings, and 8:30am on Shabbos and Sunday. Maariv is at 9:00pm Sunday through Thursday.
For more information contact Kenny at 856- 482-2684.

The next meeting of Women's Shemiras Halashon is November 24. For more information contact Cindy at 856- 321-1981.

RABBI FRAND LIVE! Meets every Thursday night at 9:00pm at Young Israel. For more information please call Abe at 856- 414-1095.

Rabbi Yosef Levenbrown gives a Shiur in Hilchos Shabbos at Young Israel, Tuesday nights at Young Israel. For more information please call Mordecai at 856-482-1511.

Question of the week: In last week's Parsha we find that Avraham is told that he will have a child, and he laughs, with no negative consequences. In this week's Parsha, Sarah is told that she will have a child. Sarah laughs and is reprimanded. What is the difference between the laughter of Avraham, and that of Sarah?