| |
|
Moses shows the strength of his leadership and his compassion by setting aside the three cities of refuge on the Eastern side of the Jordan as a haven for the unintentional murderer. Following that is an introduction to the next section which will describe in detail the laws of G-d which Moses presents to the Israelites after their numerous territorial conquests.
|
| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. What conditions must be met in order for one to flee to an asylum city?
2. Why is this brief description of the cities of refuge found at this point? How might it be related to that which preceded it and that which follows?
3. Is the biblical concept of an asylum city consonant with contemporary notions of justice?
|
|
“These cities of refuge are to be made neither into small forts nor large walled cities, but medium sized boroughs; they are to be established only in the vicinity of a water supply and where there is no water at hand it is to be brought thither; they are to be established only in marketing districts; they are to be established only in populous districts and if the population has fallen off others are to be brought into the neighborhood. R. Isaac asked: What is the scriptural authority for all these provisions? The verse, ‘and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live’ which means - provide him with whatever he needs so that he may live.”
Talmud: Makkot 10a
|
|
 | | Points to Ponder | |
In what ways does the Talmud interpret 4:42, “and you shall flee and live”?
What do these very different explanations reflect about the purpose of the asylum cities, in specific, and about the goals of a religious life in general?
|
|
|
|