I would like to propose a wonderful explanation of my own. We have learned that with the directive: "לך רד כי שחת עמך"—HKB”H was teaching Moshe not to act on something until he has witnessed it with his own eyes. According to the Midrash, Moshe responded: "אם איני רואה איני מאמין". I will begin by introducing a precious insight from the esteemed Rabbi Yaakov of Narol, zy”a, a disciple of the Chozeh of Lublin, zy”a. He comments on the passuk (Bereishis 18, 20): "ויאמר ה' זעקת סדום ועמורה כי רבה וחטאתם כי כבדה מאד, ארדה נא ואראה הכצעקתה הבאה אלי עשו כלה ואם לא אדעה". So Hashem said, “Because the outcry concerning Sedom and Amorah has become so great, and because their sin has been very grave, I will descend and see if their outcry that has come to Me is indicative of their conduct, and they deserve annihilation. And if not, I will know.”
The commentaries are puzzled by this depiction. Is it necessary for HKB”H to descend to verify man’s actions? In fact, we have an explicit passuk that states otherwise (Tehillim 33, 13): "משמים הביט ה' ראה את כל בני האדם, ממכון שבתו השגיח אל כל יושבי הארץ"—from heaven Hashem looks down, He sees all mankind; from His place of dwelling, He oversees all the inhabitants of earth. Rabbi Yaakov of Narol addresses this difficulty. The following explanation is brought down in his name in Eizor Eliyahu (Beha’aloscha):
I heard (the following) in the name of the holy Rav of Narol, our teacher Rabbi Yaakov, zlh”h, regarding the passuk: “I will descend and see if their outcry that has come to Me is indicative of their conduct.” The term “I will descend” requires further explanation. He, of blessed memory, provides a reason. It is the accepted minhag throughout the world to make a yahrzeit for the passing of one’s father and mother, G-d help us, because it is said that a person is judged annually above.
This is seemingly difficult to comprehend. Since the person has already been judged once, why must he be judged annually? He of blessed memory explains that the neshamah ascends to a higher level every year. Therefore, it must be judged anew, because there are aveiros that are not considered to be sins in the lower world, but are considered to be sins in the higher world . . . Therefore, it is necessary to pray for the individual each and every year.
He of blessed memory asserts that this is the meaning of the passuk under discussion: “Because the outcry concerning Sedom and Amorah has become so great”—perhaps these sins are only in the upper world, but they are not considered sins at all down below. If that is the case, they do not deserve to be punished in this world but only in the upper world. Therefore, the text says: “I will descend and see.” In other words, it was as if HKB”H said to the heavenly court, “I will descend and see if they truly deserve annihilation”—that is, if their conduct is considered sinful even in the world of action, then they will be exterminated.
