Distracted Driving

From an anonymous reader:

While walking in my neighborhood a few days ago, I observed a driver davening—not by heart, but actually reading from a siddur while the car was in motion. There is nothing commendable about this person’s devotion to Torah u’mitzvos, when s/he does not have love for the children of HaKadosh Baruch Hu.

We just read last week about the arei miklat—the cities of refuge to which an inadvertent killer could flee. Remember that this person was exiled, could not return home for the whole tenure of the Kohen Gadol, because, although the killing was not intentional, he is, nonetheless, guilty of criminal negligence. How would the driver feel if, chas vechalilah, he struck a person and caused serious injury, or worse?

Achai Bnei Yisrael, remember that driving is a privilege, not a right. You are operating heavy, dangerous machinery when you drive a vehicle, thus the warnings on pharmaceuticals that make one slow to respond.

Do your davening in shul or at home, and then drive to your destination. If you are running late, then go to work or your appointment, and daven during your break, in a room where you can stand on your feet.

With wishes for a meaningful fast, and may this year be the one in which the day is changed me’evel leYom Tov.