More Discussions for this daf
1. Go'el ha'Dam 2. Grain meaning Torah 3. Killing based on testimony of a single witness
4. Peshita 5. שכיחי רוצחים
DAF DISCUSSIONS - MAKOS 10

Ari Stern asks:

Yilamdeinu Rabbenu; When running to Golus, Mosrin Lo Shnei Talmedei Chachomim Shema Yhargenu Bderech, and they say to Goel Hadom "Al Tinaheg Bo Minhag Shofchei Damim B'shgaga Bo Maseh L'Yodo. Omar Mar B'shgaga Bo Maseh L'Yodo, Pshetia! Dei Bmeizid Bar Golus Hu?

Lo zochisi lehavin, the Gemarras Kasha, we are not talking about an environment of a Bais Medrash, but a hot blooded Goel Hadam, we are trying to calm him down! So what is the Gemoras Kasha??

Yasher Koach, Ari Stern

The Kollel replies:

It is safe to assume that in those days people had sufficient respect for venerable-looking Talmidei Chachamim to stop short of killing the person they are accompanying in cold blood, and to listen to what the Talmidei Chachamim have to say. Bear in mind, too, that (a) the Rotze'ach killed his relative b'Shogeg, and (b) that he was not about to get off entirely free, but was on his way to receive a rather stiff punishment.

Consequently, it is feasible to suggest that they would be susceptible to restraint.

Kol Tuv,

Eliezer Chrysler

yasher koach. Please allow me to clarify question:

The talmeidei chachomim are relating to goel hadam Stop! it was a shogeg! why is the Gemorah asking Peshita, they are just trying to calm him down?

Yasher Koach, Ari Stern

The Kollel replies:

The Gemara is leading into an explanation of who goes to Ir Miklat. The Hava Amina is that only a person who killed b'Shogeg goes to Ir Miklat. When the Gemara asks Peshita, it is not in fact a strong question, but rather it is leading into the reason Chazal used this phraseology.

The Gemara's answer is that not only (as you said) are they trying to calm him down, but they also want to point out that there is a difference between him chasing this person and other Goalei Damim who are similarly chasing people along this same path. This is because their relatives may have been killed on purpose. If this Goel ha'Dam sees or hears of another person being killed by a Goel ha'Dam, it is important to point out that this was very possibly someone who killed on purpose and who deserves to be killed! This is in contrast to the person who accidentally killed their relative. Accordingly, the Gemara concludes that this phraseology tells the Goel ha'Dam not only to calm down, but also that he should not compare the accidental killer to other murderers who are similarly being chased and possibly killed on their way to Ir Miklat.

All the best,

Yaakov Montrose