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Marking the Way
It is common to say “I would never do that” or “I couldn’t do that” and then find oneself sometime in the future doing that exact thing. Not because the circumstances were exactly the same and not necessarily on purpose. But it does happen that we end up doing things that we shouldn’t have done.
In our parsha this week, we are told to set up three arei miklat, cities of refuge, which will serve as a safe space for one who mistakenly kills another. Now, it is highly unlikely that one of us will kill someone, even mistakenly, but it isn’t so uncommon that we have made a mistake that still felt horrible and even angered or saddened another person.
The purpose of these cities are not to be a prison just for people who accidentally killed someone, rather they are places where one should be able to go and live, as the verse says. Rambam explains that this means that if a student inadvertently kills, he should flee to the city of refuge and bring his rebbe. It his rabbi’s role to help the student do teshuvah, to make sure the student is taking care of themself, and to help him grow into a life where he can live.
Not only does the rabbi have a role, but so does the entire community. After it says to set aside these cities, it also says תָּכִין לְךָ הַדֶּרֶךְ, “prepare for yourself, the way”. Rashi explained that the roads should include many signs and Rambam tells how each year, the community would make it a point to check the paths to be sure they are maintained properly. Chizkuni adds that the road toward the ir miklat must be wide and open and by marking the way clearly, it reminds us to never become guilty because of negligence.
Perhaps, the community has to invest so much effort in preparing the way to account for the fact that we are all potential, unintentional sinners. As humans, mistakes are inevitable. And therefore, each of us must personally attend to the signs and prepare the road, as there may come a time when each of us metaphorically speaking, may need to seek the city of refuge. To be embraced by the community within and be given the chance to repent.
Therefore, the derech (path) must be easily demarcated—we must all have the opportunity to seek refuge. But once there, we must live in the city, by learning, growing, and doing teshuva.
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