The Steps That Hashem Treasures Most

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach once offered a powerful explanation of a verse from Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs): “How beautiful are your steps in sandals, O daughter of the noble.” He explained that this verse refers to the pilgrimage that Jews made to the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) in Yerushalayim during the three major holidays: Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.

This journey had two parts. The first part, said Rabbi Auerbach, was when the person left home wearing shoes. He would travel from his house all the way to the gates of the Temple Mount. Once there, he would remove his shoes before going up further, as was the custom when entering a holy place.

During that first part of the journey, walking in shoes, the person faced inner turmoil. He had just left behind everything he owned like his home filled with all its belongings, his fields, trees, cows, and chickens. None of it was guarded. And though the Torah clearly promises (in Shemot/Exodus 34:24), “No man will covet your land when you go up to appear before Hashem your God three times a year,” a person’s heart might still feel uneasy.

"What if I don’t deserve that promise?" he might wonder. "What if, because of my sins, something bad happens while I'm gone?"

Rabbi Auerbach reminded us that in those times, there were no alarm systems or surveillance cameras. A person going to Yerushalayim was truly leaving all he owned vulnerable. We can imagine such a person walking for some distance, stopping in fear, thinking of turning back. But he strengthens his trust in Hashem and says, “If Hashem promised to protect it, I will continue.”

He walks on, then doubts return. Again he gathers his strength, again he takes steps forward. And so he continues, battling fears and strengthening his emunah (faith) with each step until finally he reaches Yerushalayim.

The second part of the journey began when the Jew arrived at the Temple Mount. There, he took off his shoes, as was the custom before stepping onto holy ground. Now he was standing close to the Shechinah, the special presence of Hashem that rested in the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple). All the worries and fears he had felt along the road started to melt away. Even if a thought crossed his mind about something back home like another orchard or a cow, it didn’t bother him anymore. Being in such a holy and uplifting place filled him with joy, and made all his material concerns seem small and unimportant..

At this point, Rabbi Auerbach asked: which part of the journey does Hashem value more?

At first glance, we might think the second part, when the person is already at the Temple, totally immersed in holiness and attachment to Hashem would be the most precious. Isn’t that the height of spiritual connection?

But the verse tells us otherwise. “How beautiful are your steps in sandals”, Hashem treasures the part of the journey where the Jew was still walking, still wearing shoes, still struggling and full of worry, but continuing anyway. That is the stage that Hashem praises.

Because once a person is already in a state of peace and closeness to Hashem, the test isn’t as great. But when they’re filled with fear, doubt, and uncertainty, and still choose to trust Hashem and keep moving forward, that is something truly beautiful in the eyes of Heaven.

From this, said Rabbi Auerbach, the beloved Rosh Yeshiva (head of the yeshiva) of Kol Torah that we learn something so deep. Precisely when we are suffering, when we feel lost, overwhelmed, and anxious, that is when we are most beloved by Hashem. When we fight through those feelings and choose to stay close to Him anyway, we reach a level that even the peaceful times can’t match.

So the next time life feels overwhelming, remember this teaching. Your steps, even shaky ones, are beautiful in the eyes of Hashem.

Adapted from Rabbi Moshe Vito’s Diokna, courtesy of the Dirshu website.