Why Are We Good ?

בס"ד

Hashem tells Avraham Avinu of the impending destruction of Sodom and Amorrah. What's Avraham's reaction ? He tries to avert this "tragedy" by negotiating with G-d.

Two points to consider:

1. Why would the presence of any amount of righteous people be reason to spare the wicked multitudes from their just desserts ?
2. Secondly, if Hashem already informed Avraham that He was going to punish the people of Sodom – what was the point of the negotiation – wasn't it a done deal ?

There are multiple reasons that someone would choose a path of righteousness. Motivations could include positive role models or a mature worldview that values the goodness inherent in positive actions. There is another possible motivation which is really counterintuitive. Bearing witness to the dark underbelly of the human condition – someone might be "scared straight" and decide to devote themselves to the polar opposite of evil, namely, goodness. In this last instance, the wicked people are perversely partially responsible for the ensuing righteousness. It is this angle that Avraham Avinu plays up in his bargaining.

As far as it being a "fait au compli" – that is not the point. In the Darash Moshe, R Moshe Feinstein ZTL, points out that the negotiations were Avraham's prerogative. It wasn't about changing G-d's mind – it was about trying. Despite an absolute inability to affect the outcome – how could a man of kindness stand by and let entire cities suffer? He couldn't.

We learn many powerful lessons from this episode.

1. To have gratitude towards anyone who helps us on the path to goodness – even if it is someone whose example we decidedly avoid following.
2. That we have an obligation to wish everyone well – even to the point of bargaining with G-d Himself.
3. We must do our part in following the dictates of righteousness. Even if there is no way we will succeed – Hashem doesn't look to see if our actions bear fruit – He just wants us to do our best.

Hatzlacha !!