In our mouths and in our hearts: Day 40
(Introduction.)
Today: Murder
481. “When men quarrel and one strikes the other with stone or fist, and he does not die but has to take to his bed — if he then gets up and walks outdoors on his staff, the assailant shall go unpunished, except that he must pay for his idleness and his cure.” (Exodus 21:18-19)
482. “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13)
483. “You may not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of a capital crime.” (Numbers 35:31)
484. “The assembly shall restore him to the city of refuge to which he fled.” (Numbers 35:25) = one who committed negligent manslaughter must flee to a city of refuge to avoid a blood avenger
485. “You may not accept ransom in lieu of flight to a city of refuge.” (Numbers 35:32)
486. “The killer may not die unless he has stood trial before the assembly.” (Numbers 35:12)
487. “You shall cut off her hand.” (Deuteronomy 25:12) = if person A is pursuing person B to kill B, you should injure or even kill A if necessary to save B’s life
488. “Show no pity.” (Deuteronomy 25:12) = on the rodeif / the pursuer who is threatening someone’s life (#487)
489. “Do not stand by the blood of your fellow.” (Leviticus 19:16) = if you have the chance to save a life, don’t stand back
490. “You shall survey the distances, and divide into three parts the territory of the country that Adonai your God has allotted to you, so that any manslayer may have a place to flee to.” (Deuteronomy 19:3) = establish cities of refuge where manslayers can flee
491. The procedure of the eglah arufah (Deuteronomy 21:1-9) = in a case of an unsolved murder, take a calf to a stream and break its neck, etc.
492. “It shall not be tilled or sown.” (Deuteronomy 21:4) = the land in the place where the calf’s neck was broken (#491)
493. “Do not bring bloodguilt upon your house.” (Deuteronomy 22:8) = don’t do anything reckless that could get someone killed
494. “When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof.” (Deuteronomy 22:8) = so that no one falls off
495. “Do not place a stumbling block before the blind.” (Leviticus 19:14) = metaphorically, of course