Question: What were the reasons God destroyed Sodom & Gomorrah? In verse 5 were the men asking Lot to send the angels out so they could commit homosexual acts with them?

Answer: That indeed was their intention, but homosexuality is not why Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed. They were destroyed because they were the antithesis of what Abraham represented. He was teaching the world about serving G-d and about kindness to other people. He specialized in kindness; that’s why he was so tremendously devoted to taking care of wayfarers. And he “called out in the name of G-d” – his whole life was dedicated to undoing the totally selfish, hedonistic lifestyle of the idol-worshipers around him.

Abraham had a tremendous impact – except in Sodom and Gomorrah. They didn’t live far from him, but they were completely unmoved by his teachings. They didn’t think they needed anyone, and they sure weren’t going to let anyone else benefit from them. In Sodom, neediness and helplessness were crimes. Instead of taking care of travelers, they treated them as prey.

This is what the “test visit” of the angels proved; the people of Sodom and Gomorrah showed themselves unfit to inhabit the world G-d was building together with Abraham.

Best wishes,
Michoel Reach