This week we finish the Book of Numbers, the fourth book in the Torah, with a double portion, Matot-Masei. In the latter portion, Masei, God asks us to establish what are called 'cities of refuge,' places to where someone who unintentionally causes the death of another person can run in order not to be killed by someone seeking revenge. As long as the person who has caused the death remains in the city, the people of that city are required to protect him or her. Of course, the way we in modern society handle manslaughter - causing the death of another person by accident - is different. Nonetheless, these cities of refuge create an important model for us. What are the places where you seek refuge? To where can you run to be safe and seek sanctuary? Who are the people who protect you when you need to be safe?
(And since this is the last portion of the Book of Numbers, we say, "Chazak, chazak v'nitchazeik - Be strong, be strong and let us strengthen one another!")
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