Why was Lot’s wife turned to salt (Genesis 19:26), of all things?

According to the Midrash (Beraishis Rabba on that verse), as soon as the 3 Angels entered Lot’s house, his wife left the house and went around to all the neighbors asking if she could borrow salt for her guests who had just arrived – her intention was to alert the people of Sodom as to the presence of these new ‘intruders’ – this then led to the gang of people attacking Lot’s house in an attempt to abduct the 3 travelers (it was against the laws of Sodom to invite travelers into one’s home). Thus, states the Midrash, Lots wife was turned into salt because she sinned by asking for salt – all punishments, according the Torah, are measure for measure – absolutely appropriate.

Yours sincerely,
Ari Lobel