Shema Yisrael and the Cities of Refuge

It is written in the Torah (Bamidbar 35:25): “And the congregation shall restore him to the city of refuge to which he fled.” This is the law concerning one who killed unintentionally. - “Shema Yisrael: Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad”—these six words correspond to the six cities of refuge. And the words, “In addition, give [the tribe of Levi] 42 cities”—these are the six cities plus 42 cities, for a total of 48; that is, the 48 words in the passage beginning with “ve'ahavta” and ending with “uvisharecha.” The line “Shema Yisrael” and the passage beginning with “ve'ahavta” are themselves the cities of refuge, in which a Jew can find protection and concealment if he has done something wrong. By accepting the yoke of Torah and loving the Creator, he is saved from all accusers. (Ohev Yisrael, Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel)

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Tags: Prayer, Shema Yisrael, Cities of Refuge, Shema Yisrael and the Cities of Refuge, Shema Prayer, Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel

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Shema Yisrael and the Cities of Refuge

Shema Yisrael and the Cities of Refuge

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