Jewish tradition has some pretty strong feelings about collective responsibility, and it's not always who you'd expect who bears the weight.

The Yalkut Shimoni, a fascinating compilation of Midrashic teachings, brings up an intriguing point about exile. The text references the Torah portion dealing with cities of refuge, places where someone who accidentally committed manslaughter could flee to avoid vengeance. We usually think of exile as something that happens to Israel because of the actions of Israelites. But the Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 787 throws a curveball: "Just as Israel is exiled through the actions of an Israelite, so too Israel is exiled through the actions of a ger toshav"—a resident alien, or a non-Jew living among the Israelite community.

Wait a minute... a ger toshav? How does that work?

The text anticipates a potential objection. If an Israelite kills another Israelite, the perpetrator is put to death. If a resident alien kills someone, shouldn’t they be exempt from exile, especially since an Israelite who commits the same crime would face a harsher punishment? The text phrases it as an a fortiori argument – "if when an Israelite killed him, he is exempt, a fortiori, he should not be exiled."

The answer isn't explicitly given here, but we can infer some things. The very fact that the Yalkut Shimoni raises the question suggests that the actions of the ger toshav do have consequences for the entire community. Perhaps it’s because their actions, good or bad, reflect on the whole society and its adherence to justice and righteousness. It's a reminder that everyone within a community impacts its spiritual and even physical well-being.

The Yalkut Shimoni then pivots to a seemingly unrelated point about the cities of refuge themselves. The Torah commands, "You shall give three cities on the other side of the Jordan" (Deuteronomy 19:7). But the verse also states, "These six cities shall be for refuge." Why the emphasis on "six"? The text explains that we might assume we can designate the cities of refuge one at a time. However, the verse emphasizes that all six cities must be designated before any of them can function as a refuge. "This teaches that not one of them shall be designated until all six are designated."

What’s the connection between the cities of refuge and the resident alien? Perhaps it’s this: both emphasize the interconnectedness of the community. Just as all six cities must be ready to offer refuge, the actions of all members of society, including the ger toshav, contribute to the community's overall state. Justice and refuge aren't piecemeal affairs; they require a comprehensive and collective approach.

So, what does this all mean for us today? Maybe it’s a call to recognize our shared responsibility, not just for our own actions, but for the well-being of the communities we inhabit. It's a reminder that even the smallest actions can have ripple effects, impacting the whole. And perhaps, most importantly, it highlights the enduring Jewish value of inclusivity and the recognition that even those who are not born into the tradition are integral to the fabric of our shared existence.