Q. The Mishna Taanis 1:3 says that it took those that lived on the farthest borders of Israel took 15 days to travel to Yerushalaim. Males that lived in Israel are obligated in aliyah l’regel 3 times a year.
Practically, does this mean that they were obligated to spend more than 3 months a year traveling to Jerusalem (and away from their wives and small children)? (15 days x 2 x 3, plus the Yom Tov days spent in Yerushalaim)
A. You are indeed referring to the utmost distant people that lived close to the border. However the vast majority were much closer to Yerushalaim and they also traveled with their families.
As the Torah specifies and we read about it in Shema at least twice a day, “Uvelechtecha Baderech,” we are constantly reminded to learn Torah even when we are walking on the highways.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a