Words can hardly describe the burning desire Moses felt when he thought about allotting land in Israel
to his fellow Levites. They were, after all, his closest kin. To be sure, Moses had already apprised them
that they were not entitled to landed rights within Canaan. But now the subject is broached anew, this
time with a zest—as the first part of Numbers 35 teaches.

“And God spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab, adjacent to Jericho
saying…”

In the previous blog (Numbers 34), Abravanel shared an “insider’s look” into Numbers’ final chapters. In
short, God tasked Moses with fulfilling five commandments, during the prophet’s waning days. Here, we
will concentrate on the fourth divine directive.

“Command the Children of Israel that they should give to the Levites from their inheritance, cities in
which they can dwell. Besides, they shall donate to the Levites a plot of land beyond their cities.” Moses
heard God’s sentiments on this topic, one so close to the prophet’s heart. If he desires, while still alive
and capable, to give over cities in which fellow Levites may dwell—this too Moses could not have done
had he crossed the Jordan without assistance. Rather, he would have had to rely on men to carry out his
good intentions.

Locating, surveying, and measuring are all jobs requiring a crew. But Moses can, God told him, put this
into action today, from here in the plains of Moab. “Command the Children of Israel that they should
give to the Levites…”

Recall, in Israel the Levites subsisted on public tithes. Given that secure, base income, they did not have
to overly concern themselves with supporting themselves. Thus, the need for fields and vineyards hardly
registered a blip on their minds. Nevertheless, they did require a housing solution, cities in which to
dwell. “The bedroom communities that you shall give to the Levites shall extend beyond one thousand
cubits beyond the city wall.” Call it a multi-purpose land zone. It would be used as grazing space for their
flocks or otherwise useful solution to pursue their interests. “…for their property and for all their
animals.” The Talmudic sages learn that Levites did not zone that area for burying their dead. Instead, it
was to serve for their living needs.

Moses laid out more detailed parameters for the Levite’s living, working, and leisure quarters. “And they
shall measure beyond the city to the western exposure two thousand cubits, and the southern exposure
two thousand cubits…” Really, it came down to an outright grant and ample residential and commercial
spaces for the Levites. Indeed, the plan was forward thinking and efficient, one whose touchstone
featured waste management. That is, from the residential areas the Levites carried biodegradable trash
to their surrounding fields and vineyards. It also included other social-friendly amenities like placing
animals that potentially may damage others beyond people’s homes and sidewalks. All this, Abravanel
adds, resulted in a type of city master plan, replete with residential, commercial, and agricultural areas.