The Spiritual Art of Walking: Abraham’s Mileage, Zechariah’s ‘Walkers,’ and Moving Forward Among Stationary Angels

When we talk about the portion of Lech Lecha the current trend is to hyper focus on the "Lecha" piece.

Whilst "go to yourself" as in, "be genuine" or "you be you" can be a positive message; it's also a hop skip and a jump away from endorsing full on narcissism.

I'd like to try and explore Lech Lecha from what might be a more benign vantage point of personal growth.

I think it's fair to say that when the text uses the word Lech Lecha as the go-to terminology for journeying, it presupposes a walking journey.

Someone on Sefaria actually did the math and broke it down as follows: Avraham's journey from the East, Ur Cassdim, via Haran to Shechem, Elon Moreh. 667 miles from Ur Casdim (Iraq) to Haran (Syria) - walking time 216 hours (i.e. 18 days - walking 12 hours a day) 511 miles from Haran to Shechem - walking time 168 hours (i.e 14 days - walking 12 hours a day).

A Boston marathon this is not, but there is something lovely and reasonable about "walking" as a metaphor for a calm and persistent forward movement.

The coordinates of our ultimate journeys are tricky. G-d points us to the land that "he will show us" but we can never quite see where he's pointing. In this regard we are like the quintessential elderly Jewish couple who are perpetually lost. "I thought you were listening...you thought I was listening?"

I suppose if we could indeed hear G-d giving us exact directions, disclosing all that still remains mysterious about why we are here and where we should be heading and what's waiting up ahead of us beyond the bend in the curved road, then it would be more "trip" than journey.

"Walking" then as a metaphor for a more contemplative approach can be it's own spiritual practice, where the road itself becomes the destination.

If we can see past the hyperbole and dictates of society, then we are already channeling the ruggedness of Abraham. If we can keep our cool and manage to hold our heads up high; even when we are feeling something akin to the popular Israeli singer Omer Adam's "סחרחורת" - a dizziness or vertigo; then we are mastering the spiritual art of "walking."

When we inch forward, at our own pace and pass the hosts of mocking "Angels" who live in a state of perpetually pulled over by the side of the road; hiding behind the protective walls of their stationary inertia whilst preaching to the "humans," — then we are indeed learning to "walk with G-d."

The prophet Zechariah 3:7 endorsed the Abrahamic doctrine of walking: וְנָתַתִּ֤י לְךָ֙ מַהְלְכִ֔ים בֵּ֥ין הָעֹמְדִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃

" ...behold I will give you "walkers" from amongst the immobile ones." Here the prophet is articulating a fundamental Jewish idea; namely that G-d prefers the heartfelt and sincere offerings of the imperfect but dynamic human over the static and frozen "perfection" of the Angels.

Billy Joel, a contemporary Jew echoed the words of the Prophet when he sang "I'd rather laugh with the sinners then cry with the saints, the sinners are much more fun."

I hope this offers some valuable food for thought. Meanwhile wishing you all a wonderful and restful Shabbos!

Much Love,

Rabbi Yossi