<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><p>This Torah portion describes the cities of refuge. A man who kills someone accidentally is exiled to an <i>Ir Miklat</i>. In addition to these accidental killers, a very distinguished group of people, the <i>Leviyim</i>, lived in those cities. They traveled throughout Israel, teaching and preaching. The Leviyim actually played an integral role in the killer's rehabilitation. </p><p>The sentence imposed on the killers was also very unique. It was not defined by time, but rather by an odd and puzzling circumstance. The killers would go free only when the Kohen Gadol died. The gemara in Makos tells us that the Kohen Gadol's family members were quite worried. They were not concerned that there would be an assassination plot against the Kohen Gadol's life. They were worried that the convicts would pray that the Kohen Gadol would die. In order to dissuade them, the mother of the Kohen Gadol would distribute food and clothing to the detainees to deter them from praying that her son die.</p><p>The whole thing sounds strange and weird. But in order to grasp the deeper meaning, it is important to understand that these cities of refuge were not jails, nor were they mere detention camps. They were environments in which reckless people were made to become aware that careless actions have serious ramifications. They were constantly under the influence of their neighbors, the Leviyim. They would observe them daven, learn, and teach others. They would, in essence, be exposed to sensitivity training, awareness, and care for their fellow beings.</p><p>The mission of the Kohen Gadol's mother was not just to just distribute food and clothing. It was to develop a bond with those people, whose carelessness cost a fellow human being's life. They sensed the love the Kohen Gadol's mother had for her son and hopefully realized how wrong and selfish it was for them to pray for anyone's death -- especially one who was a valuable and prominent member of society. They saw how a total stranger, despite her great esteem, would make sure that their needs in the city of refuge were cared for. This led to their rehabilitation and made them painfully aware of the grief they caused the family and friends of the person they accidentally killed.</p><p>After developing a positive awareness of life and a keen empathy for others, they would never pray for the death of anyone, even if it meant their own freedom. In fact, they may have offered their years for the merit of the Kohen Gadol -- the ultimate act of selflessness.</p><p>The Torah does not just punish without teaching and rehabilitating. It infuses a love for life and spirituality into former careless killers. Its goal is to mold a new person whose attitudes will cause him to be kinder, gentler, and most of all, a lot more careful.</p><p>rw</p></span></div></body></html>