Parashat Lech Lecha - Fourth Aliyah

A war between kings reaches Abram’s family. Five kings, including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, rebel against Chedorlaomer, who had ruled over them. He sets out on a military campaign with three other kings. They defeat the kings of the region and plunder Sodom and Gomorrah. Among the captives is Lot, Abram’s nephew, who settled in Sodom after they parted ways. A fugitive reaches Abram and tells him what happened. Abram sets out to rescue Lot.

Separation did not erase their bond

In the previous aliyah, Abram suggested that he and Lot separate because their herdsmen were quarreling. Now, when Abram learns of the capture, the Torah calls Lot his brother, although he is his nephew.

Rabbeinu Bahya sees this description as an expression of Abram’s virtue: he turns toward their brotherhood rather than the quarrel between them, and hurries to help Lot as though he were his actual brother.

We can read the two aliyot together: Abram wanted to stop living in circumstances that bred conflict, but when the person from whom he had separated was in danger, he went to his aid. The distance between them did not become indifference.

How do you fight kings who have already won?

Abram gathers three hundred and eighteen of his trained men, born in his household, and pursues the captors. At night, he divides his men and attacks.

Sforno explains that both details are part of the battle plan. Dividing the force was meant to make the enemies think that the whole surrounding region had risen against them; darkness was meant to conceal how few the attackers were. In his interpretation, Abram uses a stratagem to overcome the imbalance of forces.

The pursuit ends with the recovery of Lot and his possessions, along with the women, the people and the rest of the property that had been taken. A rescue that began with concern for a relative brings others back from captivity too.

Bread and wine after the battle

When Abram returns, the king of Sodom comes out to meet him. Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, also appears in the story and brings out bread and wine. Radak explains the act simply: those returning from battle are tired, and he brings them food and drink.

Melchizedek blesses Abram and blesses God Most High, who delivered his enemies into his hands. Abram gives him a tithe, a tenth of everything. Alongside the victory and gratitude for the rescue, the story preserves this simple detail: the people who returned from battle need to eat and drink.