Kevin Bemel ·
What You Can Learn from a Murderer
Parsha Nugget Massei – Numbers 33:1-36:13
Who is wise? He who learns from all people. – Ben Zoma
This saying, from Ethics of the Fathers (the best known part of the Talmud) affirms every person, no matter how ignorant or evil, has something to teach. But murderers? Yes, even them as parshas Massei demonstates:
“. . . Cities of Refuge they will be for you, and will flee there a murderer, one who strikes a soul unintentionally.” (Numbers/Bamidbar 35:11)
This week’s parsha, which completes the fourth book of the Torah - Numbers/Bamidbar, reviews the journeys taken by the Israelites from Egypt through the wilderness and ending at the border of the Land of Israel. Then, it gives instructions for dividing the land. It ends with directions for designating cities for the Levites and Cities of Refuge including who may seek refuge there.
A man was boasting about what a good citizen he was and what a refined, disciplined lifestyle he led. "I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't gamble, I don't cheat on my wife, I am early to bed and early to rise and I work hard all day and attend religious services faithfully." He leads an exemplary life, no? Then he added, "I've been like this for the last five years, but just you wait until they let me out of here!"
Although prisons were not part of the Jewish judicial system, there were occasions when individuals would have their freedom restricted. One such example was the Ir Miklat, the City of Refuge. A person who committed unintentional murder fled to one of the specially designated cities throughout Biblical Israel where he got safe haven from an avenging relative of the victim. His term of exile ended when the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, died
The Talmud discusses the development of an interesting practice. The Kohen Gadol’s mother brought gifts of food to those exiled. That way they wouldn't pray for the early death of her son, through which their own freedom came.
How strange! Here is a man who, though not a premeditated murderer, negligently killed someone. He is less than righteous. Opposite him stands the High Priest of Israel: noble, aristocratic and, arguably, the holiest Jew alive. Of the entire nation, he alone had the awesome responsibility and privilege of entering the inner sanctum of the Holy Temple, the "Holy of Holies," on Yom Kippur. He defined righteousness.
The rabbis teach that G-d does not allow misfortune to befall the righteous. Why did his mother fear that the prayers of a morally tainted prisoner? Why would his prayers have such a negative effect on her son that she shleped food parcels to distant cities to soften him up? Does this make sense?
This conflict demonstrates:
Prayer is Limitlessly Powerful.
Whether by an individual or group, noble or ordinary, righteous or sinful, prayer can transform your life and refashion the world.
Of course, there are no guarantees. Otherwise, houses of worship would be overflowing every day. Although most potent in Hebrew, the language of Creation, and with a congregation, sincerity is the crucial ingredient for praying successfully. "G-d wants the heart.” The language and the setting are secondary to the genuineness of your prayers. Nothing can be more authentic than a tear shed in prayer.
By all means, learn the language of the Siddur, the prayer book. Improve your Hebrew reading so you can follow the services and pray with fluency. But most important of all: Be sincere.
May G-d answer all your prayers.
What practices help you to pray most sincerely?
You can leave a comment on this question or ask another question below ↓
Every year beginning on Simchas Torah, the cycle of reading the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, ends and begins again. Each Sabbath a portion known as a sedra or parsha is read. Its name comes from the first significant word or two with which this weekly reading begins.
Do you have a question about the Old Testament? Ask it here and I will answer it in a future Parsha Nugget!
