Obviously, we would never imagine the elders of the city being guilty of shedding innocent blood. Rashi explains that this means that they did not see him, permitting him to leave without food and accompaniment. The elders are not referring only to themselves. They speak as representatives of the entire community when they say: We did not ignore this Jew. Horav Avraham Yoffen, zl, notes the gravity of this statement. They are saying that every member- bar none – of this community, from the most distinguished and noble to the most common citizen, fulfilled his obligation to care and give…
