Parshas Vaeschanan (Nachamu) 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Aug 8
- 2 min read
אז יבדיל משה שלש ערים בעבר הירדן מזרחה שמש (ד-מא)
This parsha discusses the establishment of the ערי מקלט, cities of refuge, available to accidental murderers. Rashi comments that although Moshe Rabbeinu knew that these cities wouldn’t be activated until their corresponding cities in Eretz Yisroel would be activated, he nevertheless ensured that they be ready for use. The Kli Yakar mentions that many meforshim ask what the connection is between this posuk and the previous one. In posuk מ', the Torah says, "ושמרת את חקיו ... אשר ייטב לך ולבניך אחריך ולמען תאריך ימים..." and then it segues into our posuk, "אז יבדיל משה". The question is why? He answers based on the aforementioned Rashi. In spite of the fact that Moshe wouldn't see the fruits of his labor, he still set up the first three of the refuges. As we find by Dovid Hamelech, who prepared material for the construction of the Bais Hamikdash even though he knew that his son Shlomo would actually erect it. Thus, says the posuk, "ושמרת" - You do what you can, even though it’s only "לבניך אחריך". Moshe didn’t only preach this concept - he lived it. As the Torah continues, "אז יבדיל משה - נאה דורש ונאה מקיים".
But why, takeh, weren’t these cities activated until the ones in Eretz Yisroel were established? The Meshech Chochma explains Moiradik! A רוצח had to remain in the עיר מקלט until the current Kohen Godol passed away. The present Kohen Gadol was Elazar ben Aharon. Yet Hashem had said that Elazar would assist in the dividing of the land. Hence, had the cities been active, anyone in an עיר מקלט would have zero hope of leaving until at least Elazar helped the settling of Am Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel and was niftar. That would lead to his being מייאש, and the Torah would never cause that. There was therefore no ערי מקלט yet. We are able to resume our lives after this Tisha B’Av with no יאוש only because we know that there is a potential for a better tomorrow with the hope that we will soon see the ultimate nechama, bimheira b’yameinu amen.