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Why will we have Cities of Refuge when the Messiah comes?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

  

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The question is an obvious one, and there are many who discuss this question.

The Zayit Ra'anan (on Yalkut Shimoni, Parshat Shoftim) and the Minchat Chinuch (commandment 520) answer that it is a g'zayrat hakotuv (a heavenly decree) which is beyond our understanding.

The Shalah (Bait Dovid 24a) answers that the Messianic Era will be composed of two stages. In the first period, life will be very similar to what we are used to. The major difference will be that Moshiach will govern us and we will not be subject to foreign rule. In the second period we will experience all the miracles that the prophets guaranteed (such as the wolf lying with the lamb). The Arei Miklat will be necessary only during the initial stage.

The Messianic Era will be composed of two stages.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains (Likutei Sichot, vol. 24 p.107) that the Arei Miklat will be necessary for anyone who murdered accidentally before the coming of Moshiach.

[Eternal life will only begin after tchiyat hamaytim (which could be 40 years after Moshiach comes). Until then the kohen gadol can die and everyone will be able to leave the arei miklat].


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COMMENTS

Eternal life in Messanic Era

Posted by: Ariel, Alpine, New Jersey on Apr 26, 2005

why do we have to wait for 40 yrs. after Moshiach comes for eternal life? can't we have it when Moshiach comes?

Editor's Comment

Apparently, it will take some time for the world to be transformed from the way we know it today to the world of perfection it will ultimately become.

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