창세기 14:21의 미드라쉬

When the Lord enlarges your territory (Deuteronomy 12:20): This is what is stated in the verse (Proverbs 18:16), "A man’s gift eases his way." It is a gift so that a person will give from his, that the Holy One, blessed be He, enlarges [what he has]. There is a [relevant] story about Abbun Ramah (probably a nickname, meaning the father of tricking) who lived in Batsra. His rabbis went to there and were seeking sustenance. He sat and did not decide [what he would give] at first, until all the people of the city decided, so that he could decide corresponding to all [the others]. That is why he was called Abbun Ramah, as he would be tricky with all of the commandments. From when he knew how much all of the people of the city had decided, he decided corresponding to all of them. What did our rabbis do? They took him and sat him at the edge next to them, in order to fulfill that which is stated, "A man’s gift eases his way [and places him next to the great]." Another interpretation of "A man’s gift eases his way": This is [referring to] Avraham. When he chased the [four] kings, the king of Sodom came out to greet him. He said to him (Genesis 14:21), "Give me the persons, and take the possessions for yourself." Avraham said [back], "I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High [.... I will not take] so much as a thread or a sandal strap, etc." The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, "You have said, 'a thread [or a sandal strap]." By your life, I will sustain your children with that same expression, 'How lovely are your feet in sandals' (Song of Songs 7:2)." Another interpretation of "A man’s gift eases his way": This is [referring to] Israel. When the Holy One, blessed be He, said to them to bring a freewill offering, what is written there? "These continued to bring freewill offerings to [Moshe] morning after morning" (Exodus 36:3), two mornings. What did they merit [by this]? He enlarged their territory, as stated, "When the Lord enlarges your territory." In the merit of what does He enlarge it, "as he stated to you" (Deuteronomy 12:20)? In the merit of the ten statements (Ten Commandments) that you accepted. Another interpretation: "As he stated," in the merit of your forefathers.

When the king of Sodom was about to depart, he said to Abraham: “Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself (Gen. 14:21). You restored my life when you saved me from the fate of the other kings. If they had slain me, they would have taken both my life and my property; therefore, since you saved my life, take my possessions.” Thereupon Abraham made a vow, saying: I have lifted up my hand unto the Lord (ibid., v. 22). The words lifted up are employed only in reference to a vow, as it is said: And he lifted up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and vowed by Him that liveth forever (Dan. 12:17). I will not take a thread nor a shoe-latchet nor aught that is thine, lest thou shouldst say: I have made Abraham rich (Gen. 14:22). Why did he say that? Abraham said: “The Holy One, blessed be He, has already assured me that He would make me wealthy when He promised: And I will bless thee and make thy name great, and be thou a blessing (ibid. 12:2). If I take something from you, will you not say, ‘I have made Abraham rich’?”

(Gen. 14:16:) THEN HE RETURNED ALL THE PROPERTY. < There > immediately < follows > (in vs. 17): AND THE KING OF SODOM CAME OUT. When he saw Abraham pursuing the sixteen kings and their legions,⁸¹Lat.: legio. the Holy One set him on the right, as stated (in Ps. 110:1): THE LORD SAYS TO MY LORD, SIT ON MY RIGHT < UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES YOUR FOOTSTOOL >. They⁸²According to Gen. R. 43:3, R. Levi and R. Eleazar in the name of R. Jose. said: In this war the pace of our father Abraham was four miles⁸³Lat.: mille, i.e., a Roman mile of 1000 paces. long; and he ran until, having killed all the kings and their legions, he traveled on in peace. Thus it is stated (in Is. 41:3): HE PURSUES THEM AND TRAVELS ON IN PEACE…. Immediately the king of Sodom came out to meet him, as stated (in Gen. 14:17): AND THE KING OF SODOM CAME OUT TO MEET HIM. He said to him: If you please, (according to Gen. 14:21): GIVE ME THE PEOPLE AND TAKE THE PROPERTY FOR YOURSELF. Wanting < the former > and not wanting < the latter >, he said to him: If they had killed me, they would have taken all my assets. Now that you have rescued me, receive the property for yourself, and GIVE ME THE PEOPLE. So it is therefore stated: AND TAKE THE PROPERTY FOR YOURSELF. Abraham immediately took an oath, as stated (in vs. 22): THEN ABRAM SAID UNTO THE KING OF SODOM: I HAVE LIFTED UP MY HAND < UNTO THE LORD, GOD MOST HIGH >…. < Such a > lifting up is nothing but an oath, as stated (in Dan. 12:7): WHEN HE LIFTED UP HIS RIGHT HAND AND HIS LEFT HAND UNTO HEAVEN AND SWORE BY THE ONE WHO LIVES FOREVER.