It is very important to know your surroundings, before entering any situation. When tourists come and visit Brazil, they always ask is it safe? When people bring a new child into a home, they prepare the home to be child safe. And when people buy a new home, they question the neighbors. We do all this to make sure we are in the best situation and make the best choices.
In the times of the Temple (may it be rebuilt immediately) the Levites would live in cities called sanctuary cities. The city protected a person that committed a murder accidentally. According to Jewish law if a person did not commit premeditated murder, then he was to run and live in the sanctuary cities. If he were to leave the city the relative of the deceased would have the right to avenge the death.
Why were these cities chosen?
The Levites position in the temple was very emotional and uplifting. They would play instruments and sing praises as the Kohanim were serving G-d. These people that had a positive attitude and embodied life and energy. They would be the ideal neighbors for someone that brought end of life to the world.
If we were to think about this in a more profound manner, we too have neighbors in our own home. We can bring in G-d, by following his commandments and instructions. Or we could choose to kick him out, and live on our own. Our surroundings are so important to us in the physical world and in the spiritual. We just need to make the right choices day in and day out.
Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-red-house-surrounded-by-trees-at-night-1612351/
