In a surprising recording from recent days, Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein is seen raising the issue during a class with his associates at his home, about the custom of people who live close to the synagogue - and instead of bothering to walk to prayer and earning a 'walking reward', they are lazy and take a short car ride.
Below is the transcript of the conversation:
Rabbi Zilberstein: "There is a question here that is completely contrary to everything that the world is used to doing. There are people who drive to the synagogue on weekdays in their car. For example, he lives on the street next door, a five-minute walk, and there are those who always drive, you should know that this is a complete prohibition, and like what is written in the verse 'In the house of God we will walk with emotion.' These people come in luxury... Walk with emotion, with your feet to walk, it is an insult to the honor of the synagogue, and there is also a walking fee, a walking fee is called walking on foot, without a car.".
The Rabbi noted that the Ben Ish Chai in Responsa Torah Lishma cites several pieces of evidence that it is better to go to the synagogue on foot rather than riding an animal, etc. The Ben Ish Chai concludes: "Therefore, even the mitzvah of walking to the synagogue must be strictly observed to be on foot. Anyone who is able to walk on foot will not feel that this is disrespectful in the eyes of onlookers, even if he is rich and respected.".
""And it is written in the Responsa Bezel Hochma and also in the Responsa Tzitz Eliezer that anyone who has the ability to walk should not travel by car due to excessive convenience, and he will fulfill the mitzvah as it says and will receive a reward for walking for the one who takes the trouble to do the mitzvah.".
The questioner: "What is the limit and what is the lesson?""
Rabbi Silberstein: "The lesson is, if most people say it's too far and they need a car.".
Questioner: "People used to say it was a 40-minute walk, so why suddenly take a car for that?""
Rabbi Silberstein: "Every generation, according to what most people say, if most people say it's a short distance - one can travel, and if not - one must walk, and whoever doesn't walk is doing something improper.".
""That means in fact there are many people who fail at this. For a small trip he gets in the car, what do you get in the car for? How do you know? Every generation according to the estimate that the rabbi has to decide.".
Questioner: "Maybe it also depends on the person's age. At 20 it's one thing, and at 70 it's something else?""
Rabbi Silberstein: "What most people at this age do.".
The questioner: "The same is true if it is very hot or there is heavy rain, one does not have to suffer and walk.".
Rabbi Silberstein: "If he goes by car, he is considered to be insulting God! There are several steps, why do you go by car?",
The questioner: "When a person has a synagogue near his home and it is more convenient for him to go there, does he have to go to a distant synagogue for the sake of walking?""
Rabbi Zilberstein: "Those who do this receive a salary, but they don't have to. But traveling by car is against the honor of the synagogue.".
The questioner: "And if there is someone who lives nearby, a 4-minute walk, and can walk, but his consideration is to travel by car because after prayer he is in a hurry to work, is that a reason?",
Rabbi Silberstein: "That's not a reason, it will take time - so it will take time.".
