In yesterday's Torah reading there was a discussion about cities for the Levites. There were forty-eight such cities and the Torah stipulates that an area of land outside of each city was also designated for the Levites exclusive usage. A band of 1,000 cubits around the entire city was set aside for agricultural pursuits. There was a second band of either one- or two- thousand cubits that was not meant for either agriculture or housing. When I would teach my 7th grade students a passage of the Talmud referring to this arrangement I would always tell them that the outside band was meant for Frisbee playing.
I was glad to see that this is echoed by Rabbi Moshe Dovid Valle in his commentary of the Torah portion. He explains that the purpose of the outside band was "so that they (the Levites) should be included with the rest of humanity and enjoy themselves and play in their own land. In a place where there is no pleasure, there is no blessing. For that matter, it is worthwhile for those who serve God to have a double pleasure in life. Spiritual as well as physical pleasure so that they should be fully happy in their connection (to God.)"
I was glad to see that this is echoed by Rabbi Moshe Dovid Valle in his commentary of the Torah portion. He explains that the purpose of the outside band was "so that they (the Levites) should be included with the rest of humanity and enjoy themselves and play in their own land. In a place where there is no pleasure, there is no blessing. For that matter, it is worthwhile for those who serve God to have a double pleasure in life. Spiritual as well as physical pleasure so that they should be fully happy in their connection (to God.)"
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