EXTRA · Parashas Vayeira · Passuk 19:26
Supplementary classical material; Torah Temimah lists no citation under this passuk.
But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Rashi on Genesis 19:26 (citing Bereishis Rabbah).
Sefaria — Rashi on Genesis 19:26
English: “His wife looked back from behind him” — behind Lot. “And she became a pillar of salt” — she sinned with salt and was punished with salt: he said to her, “Give a little salt to these guests,” and she replied, “Do you mean to introduce this evil custom into this place as well?”
Derash on the verse (Rashi / Midrash) — not a formal named middah of the 13. The salt pillar is linked to a prior act of inhospitality by measure-for-measure.
Refusal of even a small act of hospitality (salt for guests) can bring a fitting retribution; looking back to the doomed city completes the identification with its values.