In the Talmud Makos 11b Chazal rule that the unintentional murderer may not leave his city of refuge under any circumstance, even if he is a witness who is to testify in a case of capital punishment. They go so far as to say that even if all of Klal Yisrael were in dire need of his leadership, such as Yoav ben Tzruyah, he still may not leave. There he shall live, there he shall die, and there he is to be buried. This halachah is enigmatic! Is it not true that pikuach nefesh, a case which involves life and…
