Concluding the book of Bamidbar, the Torah offers an account of the Jewish people's journey throughout their forty-year trek in the Wilderness. All the forty-two encampments are mentioned, not merely as an historical narration, but to teach different lessons. Each encampment represented another stage of redemption from Egypt, and one step of preparation closer to their entering the Promised Land. The people had to be cleansed of the negative effects of their slavery in Egypt in order to be deserving of living a life of holiness in G-d's special Land. Recalling each stop allowed the people to reflect on each spiritual accomplishment.
The people were also given instructions regarding the Land and its boundaries. In what was the first example of zoning laws, they were told that each city was to be divided into three parts. The inner area would be residential. An outer area would be left open for recreation, and outside of that would be an agricultural area. This would guarantee an even distribution of the population and address the different needs.
One of commandments given to Moshe was the designation of the Orei Miklat, the Cities of Refuge. These cities served as refuge for the unintentional murderer. There were six cities spread evenly throughout Israel; three in the mainland and three in the trans-Jordanian side of the country. The Levite cities also served as Cities of Refuge. The murderer had to stay within the city or risk the vengeance of the victim's relatives.
The murderer had to stay there until the death of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. The Talmud explains this connection: Had the leader of the generation been on a proper spiritual level, occurrences such as accidental murders would not have happened. Although the death was not caused through malice or intent, with proper caution it could have been prevented. This absence of caution is a result of society's lack of appreciation for the value of human life. The leadership must take responsibility for this failure.
One of the reasons why the murderer was required to live among the Levites was to expose him to people who had dedicated their lives to spirituality. Hopefully, this would sensitize him to become a more responsible human being.
This protection for the murderer was considered so great that Moshe himself designated the three cities on the trans-Jordanian side, despite the fact that they would not take effect until many years later, after the land was completely conquered.
"You shall possess the land and you shall settle it .." (Numbers 33:52)
Kalman Wissotzky owned a successful tea business in Russia, and became quite wealthy by providing the Czars army with all its tea. In the early 1900's he was approached to develop a tea company in Palestine. He was hesitant because the governing Turks were difficult to deal with, and it would be expensive to import tea to Palestine, as it could not grow there. Nonetheless, out of a desire to assist the struggling yishuv he sent enough money to start a small tea business.
In 1917 the Communists seized all private businesses and Wissotzky was left penniless. His only remaining asset was the business in Palestine. The family fled to Palestine and built up the business, which continues to prosper until this day.
The people were also given instructions regarding the Land and its boundaries. In what was the first example of zoning laws, they were told that each city was to be divided into three parts. The inner area would be residential. An outer area would be left open for recreation, and outside of that would be an agricultural area. This would guarantee an even distribution of the population and address the different needs.
One of commandments given to Moshe was the designation of the Orei Miklat, the Cities of Refuge. These cities served as refuge for the unintentional murderer. There were six cities spread evenly throughout Israel; three in the mainland and three in the trans-Jordanian side of the country. The Levite cities also served as Cities of Refuge. The murderer had to stay within the city or risk the vengeance of the victim's relatives.
The murderer had to stay there until the death of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest. The Talmud explains this connection: Had the leader of the generation been on a proper spiritual level, occurrences such as accidental murders would not have happened. Although the death was not caused through malice or intent, with proper caution it could have been prevented. This absence of caution is a result of society's lack of appreciation for the value of human life. The leadership must take responsibility for this failure.
One of the reasons why the murderer was required to live among the Levites was to expose him to people who had dedicated their lives to spirituality. Hopefully, this would sensitize him to become a more responsible human being.
This protection for the murderer was considered so great that Moshe himself designated the three cities on the trans-Jordanian side, despite the fact that they would not take effect until many years later, after the land was completely conquered.
"You shall possess the land and you shall settle it .." (Numbers 33:52)
Kalman Wissotzky owned a successful tea business in Russia, and became quite wealthy by providing the Czars army with all its tea. In the early 1900's he was approached to develop a tea company in Palestine. He was hesitant because the governing Turks were difficult to deal with, and it would be expensive to import tea to Palestine, as it could not grow there. Nonetheless, out of a desire to assist the struggling yishuv he sent enough money to start a small tea business.
In 1917 the Communists seized all private businesses and Wissotzky was left penniless. His only remaining asset was the business in Palestine. The family fled to Palestine and built up the business, which continues to prosper until this day.
Did You Know...
During the Nine Days preceding Tisha B'Av all joy should be curtailed. The custom is to refrain from eating meat or fowl products, as well as wine and grape juice. On Shabbos, or at a mitzvah occasion such as a circumcision or a siyum celebration made upon completing a volume of the Talmud, the participants may eat meat.
At the conclusion of Shabbos, for the Havdalah service, either beer should be drunk instead of wine, or else the wine or grape juice should be given to a 6-8 year old child who understands the need to recite a blessing, yet is not old enough to appreciate the mourning of Jerusalem. If neither beer nor a child is available, one may drink the wine himself.
