This past Sunday I walked 20 miles. It took eight hours.
On Sunday, the first day of Shavuot, my brother was making a bris in Crown Heights for his first child. I was determined to be there to celebrate with him, so I set off on the 10-mile trek from our Shul on the Upper East Side after services were over.
When I mentioned my plan to Yankel* he said I was crazy. “Why walk 20 miles for a bris? It’s too far! That’s not normal!” And he wasn’t the only one. “It’s so hot!” and “Is it really worth it just for a bris?” and “You’re meshuggeh, Rabbi,” were just some of the comments I received.
Interestingly, when I reframed the walk as exercise, I received an entirely different response. I explained to Yankel that I wouldn’t be able to do my usual morning exercise routine over the three-days (Shabbat followed by two days of Shavuot), and told him that this 20-mile walk would help burn X amount of calories. Suddenly, he saw it in a different light. “Good for you, Rabbi!” he said. “That’s amazing!” And this was repeated time and again.
So yes, it was a bit far. But it was also definitely doable. My son even came along! It took us three and a half hours on the way there, and four and a half to get back because we stopped a few times. Yes, it was hot. Yes, our feet hurt. Yes, we were tired. And we missed the actual bris (although we made it for the celebration). But most of all, it was an adventure and a fantastic bonding experience which neither of us will ever forget.
And it gave me time to think about why people reacted the way they did. When I said I was walking for religious reasons, I received skepticism and even a little scorn. But when I claimed it was for exercise, I received nothing but respect. And I wondered, why is it considered acceptable to sacrifice for physical health but not for spiritual wellbeing?
It shouldn’t be.
The same way we need to push beyond what’s comfortable for a good workout, we need to go the extra mile—beyond our comfort zone—for our fellow Jews. Whether it’s giving charity, teaching someone how to light Shabbat candles, or, yes, walking to a bris, it’s important that we exert ourselves for our spiritual health, just as much (and more!) as for our physical health.
*Name changed to protect privacy.