According to Merriam-Webster, to schlep means to haul or carry something heavy or awkward, or to endure a tedious, difficult journey. In classic Jewish fashion, the word captures both the physical burden and the emotional groan that comes with it.
Some schleps are just plain annoying. Like the 30-minute walk with a group to a friend’s house, only to find no one home. Or schlepping five bags of groceries in the rain because your driver bailed. Brutal.
But not all schleps are created equal. Some are actually meaningful. Visiting a sick friend across town or bringing home food for your family without access to a car are the kinds of schleps people rarely regret. There’s something powerful about that kind of effort.
Schlepping for chesed, which sounds like the name of a tzedakah organization that leaves voicemails every Elul, isn’t just a mitzvah. It’s a mindset. The more effort we put into doing good, the more it counts. Even our Sages teach that when something is harder, the reward is greater.
And let’s not forget the bonus cardio. Schlepping builds both character and calves.
Yes, schlepping can be exhausting. But sometimes, the heavier the load, the more meaningful the journey.
