Mattot-Massei (Numbers 33:1-36:13)
The details of the cities of refuge are spread out over three sections of the Torah: Exodus 12, Numbers 35, and Deuteronomy 19. In our current Torah portion, we learn that a manslayer must undergo investigation in order to determine whether or not he qualifies for protection within a city of refuge. He is to appear before a court in order to determine his qualification. If he is not at fault, then he is free and does not have to enter the city of refuge. If he is guilty of ill-intent, then he is to be executed. However, if he is basically guilty of some type of negligent homicide, then he is to flee to the city of refuge where he will be protected from the go’el (גאל), the redeemer of the one slain (Numbers 35:9–12).