The Impact of the Death of the High Priest

The laws of the Cities of Refuge are unique to Judaism. The idea of a protected area for an accidental murderer, was meant as a partial punishment for the negligence that caused the death of an innocent man.

The perpetrator was not allowed to leave the עיר מקלט, or City of Refuge, until the Kohein Hagadol passes away. Until that time, the ג׳ואל הדם, or redeemer of blood, is allowed to kill the accidental murderer, if he leaves the City of Refuge.

The Abarbanel gives an explanation for this somewhat strange law. Why was the death of the High Priest connected with the Cities of Refuge, and the freedom granted to the accidental murderer to leave?

He explained that the death of the Kohein Hagadol caused a great turmoil in the Jewish world. Everyone was shaken up by the loss of its holy spiritual leader.

The redeemer of blood, was equally moved by this devastating loss. It allowed him to calm down from his own loss, who had died at the hands of the accidental murderer. He will no longer be filled with that same anger. He will be moved to repent and will no longer seek revenge.

Sometimes the loss of a great leader allows people to rethink their value system. They might realize that grudges and pettiness, are not worthwhile. Life is too short to dwell on things that, in the long run, are not that important. The death of the Kohein Hagadol was an event that was so tragic, that it had such an effect on the people. The new reality was one of peace and brotherhood. It was now safe to leave the City of Refuge.