Derasha on Bamidbar 35:13 · TT unit 3

Parashas Masei · Passuk 35:13 · TT note 3

The Complete Passuk

וְהֶעָרִ֛ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּתֵּ֖נוּ שֵׁשׁ־עָרֵ֥י מִקְלָ֖ט תִּהְיֶ֥ינָה לָכֶֽם׃

Torah Temimah points to Sifrei Zuta (TT note on “תִּהְיֶינָה”).

Core Text — Sifrei Zuta

תִּהְיֶינָה — מַהוּ תִּהְיֶינָה? שֶׁלֹּא תַּעֲשֶׂנָה עִיר הַנִּדַּחַת.

English: “Shall there be” — what does “shall there be” mean? That you shall not make them an ir haniddachat (a condemned city).

Halakhic restriction — cities of refuge may not be treated as a condemned city.

The permanent status of the six cities of refuge precludes applying to them the laws of an ir haniddachat.