Parshas Shoftim 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Aug 29
- 2 min read
Monetary, Interpersonal Laws and Din Torah (44)
Levoyah: Escorting. Rashi in Parshas Shoftim (1) quotes the Gemara (2) that learns out the obligation to escort a guest who is leaving one’s home to travel out of town. The reward for this mitzvah has no limits and Beis Din used to force city people, when necessary, to escort guests as they began their journey. How far should one escort the traveler? The Gemara there gives various distances, according to the level of importance of the traveler. This means that although one could fulfill the basic mitzvah with a lesser distance, a talmid should escort his Rebbi about 3 miles [parsa] and his main Rebbi about 9 miles, to show honor to the important traveler. The Darkei Moshe (3) says that nowadays we don’t escort such large distances because the travelers forgo their honor. However, the basic minimal distance to escort should still be done which is to the edge of the city or neighborhood, or at least 4 amos, which is about 7 feet.
Purpose of the Mitzvah. The basic purpose of the mitzvah is for the benefit of the traveler, to help him on his way out of the city without getting lost. The Chofetz Chaim in his sefer Ahavas Chesed (4) adds that from the Gemara it seems that there is also a mystical element to the mitzvah, and even a short escort of 4 amos can activate Divine protection for the traveler. The Maharsha (5) explains this in 2 ways: 1) The good intentions of the one escorting to ensure the safety of the trip activates and causes this to happen, as it says in Tehillim (6): “[Hashem] does the will of those who fear him.” 2) The protective angels [which escort a person, Berachos 60b (7)] of the escorter will finish off the job that he began by escorting at least 4 amos, and accompany the traveler further on his way, ensuring his safety till his destination.
Prevalent Custom. Today, most roads are well marked and populated with other travelers (plus GPS and Waze), which will ensure that the traveler will not get lost or travel to dangerous areas. However, the Chofetz Chaim (8) still stresses that the mystical reason of Levoyah applies and one should always walk along as his guests drive away, at least 4 amos. Some have a custom to walk till the end of the block, even if the car is ahead.