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Numbers 35:6 - Sanctuary cities for accidental killers?

Numbers 35:6 - במדבר 35:6

Hebrew Text

וְאֵת הֶעָרִים אֲשֶׁר תִּתְּנוּ לַלְוִיִּם אֵת שֵׁשׁ־עָרֵי הַמִּקְלָט אֲשֶׁר תִּתְּנוּ לָנֻס שָׁמָּה הָרֹצֵחַ וַעֲלֵיהֶם תִּתְּנוּ אַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁתַּיִם עִיר׃

English Translation

And among the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be six cities of refuge, which you shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee there: and to them you shall add forty two cities.

Transliteration

Ve'et he'arim asher titnu laleviyim et shesh-arei hamiklat asher titnu lanus shama harotze'ach va'aleihem titnu arba'im ushtayim ir.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֵ֣ת הֶֽעָרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִּתְּנוּ֙ לַלְוִיִּ֔ם אֵ֚ת שֵׁשׁ־עָרֵ֣י הַמִּקְלָ֔ט אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּתְּנ֔וּ לָנֻ֥ס שָׁ֖מָּה הָרֹצֵ֑חַ וַעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם תִּתְּנ֔וּ אַרְבָּעִ֥ים וּשְׁתַּ֖יִם עִֽיר׃
וְאֵ֣ת הֶֽעָרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִּתְּנוּ֙ לַלְוִיִּ֔ם אֵ֚ת שֵׁשׁ־עָרֵ֣י הַמִּקְלָ֔ט אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּתְּנ֔וּ לָנֻ֥ס שָׁ֖מָּה הָרֹצֵ֑חַ וַעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם תִּתְּנ֔וּ אַרְבָּעִ֥ים וּשְׁתַּ֖יִם עִֽיר׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Cities of Refuge and Levitical Cities

The verse (Bamidbar 35:6) discusses the allocation of 48 cities to the Levites, including six designated as arei miklat (cities of refuge). Rashi explains that these six cities served a dual purpose: they were both dwelling places for the Levites and sanctuaries for unintentional killers, protecting them from blood avengers (Rashi on Bamidbar 35:6).

The Significance of the Number 48

The Talmud (Sotah 48b) connects the 48 Levitical cities to the 48 qualities through which Torah is acquired, as listed in Pirkei Avot (6:5). This teaches that the Levites, who were dedicated to Torah study and service in the Mishkan, required special environments conducive to spiritual growth.

Purpose of the Cities of Refuge

Maimonides (Rambam) in Hilchot Rotzeach U'Shmirat Nefesh (5:1-2) elaborates on the laws of the arei miklat, emphasizing that they provided protection only for unintentional killers. The Torah's system of justice distinguishes between premeditated murder (retzicha) and accidental killing (shogeg), with the latter meriting refuge.

Spiritual Dimensions

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Masei 10) states that the cities of refuge atone for the killer's sin, as exile itself serves as a form of repentance.
  • The Kli Yakar (Bamidbar 35:6) notes that the Levites, who were teachers of Torah, would influence the refugees to repent, turning their exile into a spiritually productive period.

Geographical Distribution

According to the Talmud (Makkot 9b), the six cities of refuge were strategically placed—three on each side of the Jordan River—to ensure accessibility. The Sifrei (Bamidbar 161) adds that roads were maintained and marked to facilitate swift escape, demonstrating the Torah's value for human life.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Makkot 10a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the cities of refuge and the allocation of cities to the Levites.
📖 Sotah 48b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the division of the Land of Israel and the cities given to the Levites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the 'cities of refuge' mentioned in Numbers 35:6?
A: The 'cities of refuge' (ערי מקלט) were six special cities designated in the Torah for someone who accidentally killed another person (manslaughter). These cities provided protection from avengers (family members of the deceased) until a fair trial could determine if the act was intentional or accidental. This is explained in the Talmud (Makkot 9b-10a) and by Rashi on this verse.
Q: Why were the Levites given 48 cities in total?
A: The Levites, who served in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Beit HaMikdash (Temple), did not receive a regular tribal portion of land like the other tribes. Instead, they were given 48 cities (including the 6 cities of refuge) scattered among the other tribes, as described in Numbers 35:6-7. This ensured their spiritual influence would be spread throughout Israel, as explained by Rambam in Hilchot Shemitta VeYovel (13:12-13).
Q: What is the significance of the number 42 additional cities for the Levites?
A: The 42 regular Levitical cities (in addition to the 6 cities of refuge) were distributed proportionally based on the size of each tribe's inheritance, as detailed in Numbers 35:8. The Midrash (Sifrei Bamidbar) explains that this arrangement allowed the Levites to teach Torah throughout the land, fulfilling their role as spiritual guides for the nation.
Q: How does the concept of cities of refuge apply to justice today?
A: While we no longer have literal cities of refuge, the principles remain relevant: 1) The importance of distinguishing between intentional and accidental acts (Sanhedrin 9b), 2) Providing protection for those in danger before trial, and 3) Ensuring fair justice systems. The Rambam (Hilchot Rotzeach 8) derives many laws about accidental killing from these verses that inform Jewish legal thought.
Q: Why were the cities of refuge given specifically to the Levites?
A: The Levites were chosen to oversee these cities because they were known for their Torah knowledge and peaceful nature (Midrash Tanchuma Massei 10). As teachers of Torah (Devarim 33:10), they could properly judge cases and provide spiritual guidance to those who came seeking refuge. Rashi (on Numbers 35:6) notes their cities were fitting places for atonement and reflection.