Numbers-Chapter-35
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Remember the following truth from our
beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO
THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL
YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
In Numbers Chapter 35, the narrative shifts from the physical boundaries of the land to the moral and social infrastructure required to sustain a holy society. By establishing cities for the Levites and designating Cities of Refuge, the Torah provides a blueprint for balancing justice with mercy. This chapter ensures that the spiritual leaders are integrated throughout the nation and that the land remains untainted by un’avenged or accidental bloodshed.
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Let us read Numbers
Chapter 35, verses 1 to 34: (JPS-1917 version of
the Torah). Below this chapter you will find my commentary for this study.
1 “And
יְהוָה - the LORD spoke unto Moses in the plains of Moab
by the Jordan at Jericho, saying: 2 ‘Command the
children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their
possession cities to dwell in; and open land round about the cities shall ye
give unto the Levites. 3 And the cities shall
they have to dwell in; and their open land shall be for their cattle, and for
their substance, and for all their beasts. 4 And
the open land about the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall be
from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about. 5 And ye shall measure without the city for the east
side two thousand cubits, and for the south side two thousand cubits, and for
the west side two thousand cubits, and for the north side two thousand cubits,
the city being in the midst. This shall be to them the open land about the
cities. 6 And the cities which ye shall give
unto the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which ye shall give
for the manslayer to flee thither; and beside them ye shall give forty and two
cities. 7 All the cities which ye shall give to
the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with the open
land about them. 8 And concerning the cities
which ye shall give of the possession of the children of
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Below is my Commentary on Numbers Chapter 35:
Verses 1-5: The command to provide the Levites with cities and open
pasturelands ensures that those dedicated to spiritual service are not
isolated. By placing the Levites among all the tribes, the Torah weaves a
thread of spiritual guidance into the very fabric of daily commerce and
agriculture.
Verses 6-8: The distribution of the forty-eight cities, including the six
cities of refuge, highlights a proportional responsibility. Larger tribes gave
more, and smaller tribes gave less, teaching that communal obligations should
be shared according to one's means and resources.
Verses 9-15: The establishment of Cities of Refuge provides a vital safeguard
against the cycle of blood vengeance. These cities offer a “time-out” from
emotional impulse, ensuring that an accidental killer has the right to a fair
trial and protection from immediate retribution.
Verses 16-21: Here, the Torah distinguishes between accidental manslaughter and
premeditated murder. By defining the types of weapons and the intent involved,
the law establishes that true justice requires a careful examination of motive,
preventing the legal system from becoming a tool for personal grudges.
Verses 22-28: The requirement for the accidental manslayer to remain in the City
of
Verses 29-34: The chapter concludes with a powerful prohibition against polluting the land with blood. Justice is presented not just as a social necessity, but as a spiritual requirement to keep the land “clean” so that the Divine Presence may continue to dwell in the midst of the people.
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My Closing Message:
Numbers Chapter 35 reminds us that a truly
civilized society is one that protects the vulnerable while upholding the
absolute sanctity of life. By integrating justice into the landscape, we learn
that our environment is a reflection of our moral choices!
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