Where were the cities set up? They were chosen for geographical reasons. There are certain criteria for the cities that they not be too small, too large, they have a water supply, a shuk, etc. to allow for proper protection and so that one does not need to leave the city for anything – even one’s rabbi needs to go to the city with him. Weapons can’t be sold there and other implements that could be used to kill the killer. The gemara digresses to discussing the importance of learning Torah and learning as part of a community. Reish Lakish explains a verse in the Torah that God orchestrates things from above that one who kills accidentally and no one knows, and one who kills on purpose without witnesses, will both end up in the same place and the murderer will get killed accidentally by the one who killed accidentally before and each will then get their punishment they are deserving of. If the relative kills the killer on the way to the city of refuge, does he receive a death penalty?
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