NUM391 See [[DEUT1731]] Deuteronomy 34:5 mouth AGUS 146-7

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NUM392 We may now proceed to examine the areas in which a biblically prescribed harsh treatment appears to be contrary to established principles of compassion. A survey reveals two distinct concerns of early Judaism. One was the survival of monotheism in an ocean of paganism. The other was the eradication of bloodshed in a primitive society where feuds were normally resolved by murder. In both of these areas the Bible demands strict justice untempered by mercy. The promise of the Land of Canaan to the Children of Israel was contingent upon their acceptance of monotheism. Moses warned that the Canaanites must be expelled and their idols destroyed [this verse]. Coexistence with the Canaanites, a morally corrupt people, would have aborted the growth of monotheism at its very inception. The harsh decree of expulsion was an emergency measure which did not establish an ethical norm. It was never applied to the pagans of other countries, for their practices posed no danger to the viability of monotheism in Palestine. Thus when the prophet Jonah rued God's willingness to forgive the Ninevites (4:2), God retorted: "Shall I not have compassion for Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons?" (4:11). In every situation where idolatry threatened to weaken the will of the people to uphold monotheism, the Bible warns against permitting compassion to undermine the determination to uproot idolatry. This admonition was couched in the oft-repeated classical phrase: "Thine eyes shall not pity them" (Deuteronomy 7:16). It applied equally to pagans and to backsliding Jews guilty of inciting the people to revert to idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:9). Continued at [[DEUT934]] Deuteronomy 19:13 pity BLOCH 64).

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NUM393 See [[NUM3]] Numbers 1:2 clans AMEMEI 70

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NUM394 See [[EXOD623]] Exodus 22:1 death DORFFRAG 167-8

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NUM395 See [[NUM152]] Numbers 15:2 speak OXFORD 13-4

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NUM396 The Jewish nation shall give cities to the tribe of Levi to dwell therein; these cities also shall serve as havens for those guilty of unintentional manslaughter. Due to their devotion to serving Hashem, the tribe of Levi was singled out to serve Him in a unique way. Unlike the other tribes, they received no land inheritance and did not toil in the fields, vineyards or orchards. Still, the Levites needed cities where they could live and raise their families and keep animals. Due to the special qualities of the tribe of Levi, the Levite cities were made havens for those who committed unintentional manslaughter, for perhaps such unfortunate people could gain atonement through dwelling in a place that became holy with the special sanctity of the Levites. Also, in that Levites possess good, sensitive hearts, sublime wisdom and refined character, everyone knew that if someone guilty of unintentional manslaughter would seek refuge among them, they would not hate him or harm him, even if the person who he killed was one of their relatives. See [[LEV1028]] Leviticus 25:34 cities CHINUCH 208-9

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NUM397 See [[NUM152]] Numbers 15:2 speak OXFORD 13-4

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NUM398 A healthy ecological balance dictates that there must remain distance between city and rural areas. Thus, the Torah [this verse] does not permit any planting or building in the one-thousand-cubit radius around the city. Rashi on this verse, based on the Talmud (Bava Batra 24b) comments that the purpose is also to protect the beauty of the city. Thus, the Torah was concerned about zoning and city beautification. The Mishnah (Bava Batra 2:7) states that even a tree had to be a distance of at least 25 cubits (37 – 50 feet) from the city, and some say fifty cubits, in order to allow proper growing of trees and prevent possible damage.

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NUM399 See [[NUM152]] Numbers 15:2 speak OXFORD 13-4

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NUM400 A person must be careful that his actions do not lead to someone's death. The Torah states that if someone kills another person unintentionally, he is obliged to flee to one of the six cities of refuge in Eretz Yisroel which were especially set aside for this purpose. The Chinuch (410) explains that this punishment, going into exile, can be equated with death. The manslayer, albeit his action was not intentional, has to atone for his negligence which caused the loss of someone's life. A person must be very careful while engaging in any action that could possibly harm someone. Today this is especially relevant when driving a car. A driver must devote himself entirely to driving since one careless move could easily lead to a fatal accident. When you are upset or tired, do not drive.

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