Seder 150: Deuteronomy 21:1-9---The Case of an Unsolved Murder

 In Deuteronomy 21:1-9 Moses describes the case of an unsolved murder.  The victim's blood pollutes the land, crying out like the blood of Abel (Gen 4:10), but there is no one to prosecute.  An investigation has not revealed the identity of the murderer.  

Moses lays out a ritual that will honor the life of the victim and bring closure.  A heifer's neck is broken in a valley where there is running water.  Elders of the town nearest the scene of the crime wash their hands over the heifer, affirm their innocence, and ask for forgiveness.

As with other rituals in the Pentateuch, we are left to infer the possible symbolism.  This one has been classed as an "elimination ritual," like the scapegoat ritual in Leviticus 16, where a sin is being removed from the community.  In this case, the pollution of the shedding of blood is removed as the heifer's blood is carried away by the running water.  

One proposal for the symbolism of the heifer is that this is a kind of reenactment of the murder..  As the victim's blood was shed, the animal's blood is shed.  Another possibility is that the heifer represents the unknown murderer and is being killed in place of the murderer.

Whatever the precise symbolism, the ritual communicates 

• the responsibility of the community for what has happened;
• the importance of maintaining the holiness of the community;
• the sanctity of life.  Life is precious, and a murder can't just be ignored.  

It's comforting to know that God in each case knows what occurred and will make things right in the end. 

This case is discussed right after the instructions on warfare in Deuteronomy 20.  During times of war, there is a tendency to not value life as it should be valued.  Deuteronomy 21:1-9 gives a reminder of the value of life.