[Judaic] Translated literally, kefitzat ha-derekh means "the jumping of the road." It is usually interpreted, however, as "the shortening of the way." The phenomenon consists of the swift arrival of a person or persons to a distant destination, accomplished by supernatural means. The travelers must break the laws of nature to fit the concept, and the distance cannot be covered as quickly by walking or riding an ordinary horse, mule, or donkey. Kefitzat ha-derekh does not appear in the Bible. The Talmud, however, mentions three Biblical individuals who experienced it. The actual term used in the Talmud is slightly different, though. It appears as "those for whom the earth jumped (kefitzat ha-aretz)." These were Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, Jacob the Patriarch, and Abishai ben Zeruiah. There had been some debates weather it is exactly the same concept as Kefitzat ha-derekh, but most scholars agree that it is close enough to be considered so. Kefitzat ha-derekh can happen spontaneously, ...
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