Who says Tefilat haDerech?

Hi,

Although we say regarding certain prayers, 'ברב עם הדרת מלך,' that there is greater honor for Gd when people perform mitzvot in unison, Tefilat haDerech is different in that it is a personal request for aid. Therefore, each person should recite Tefilat haDerech personally.

Those who are not capable of reciting the words may hear them from others and reply Amen.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 193:1; Mishneh Berurah 193:5)

May we soon see the rebuilding of the Beit haMikdash,
Mordechai

Eat and then recite Tefilat haDerech?

Hi,

As berachot [blessings] are usually structured, they are supposed to begin with "Baruch Ata." However, berachot which are designed to follow other berachot need not have such a start; these are called ברכה הסמוכה לחבירתה, a berachah which is beside another berachah. Examples include the berachot of the Amidah and Birkat haMazon.

Tefilat haDerech does not begin with "Baruch Ata." Some authorities have stated that this is not a big deal, but others are careful to recite Tefilat haDerech immediately after some other berachah, such as a berachah upon eating food.

Even if one does not have the option of linking Tefilat haDerech to another berachah, one should still recite it.

(Tur, Beit Yosef Orach Chaim 110; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 110:6; Mishneh Berurah 110:28)

May we soon see the rebuilding of the Beit haMikdash,
Mordechai

When do we say Tefilat haDerech?

Hi,

Tefilat haDerech is to be said after one has actually embarked on the road. Ideally, one should halt the vehicle in order to do this, but if this is not possible then it may be said while traveling.

One who realizes mid-trip that he did not recite Tefilat haDerech may still recite it, until the last parsah - the last 72 minutes of the trip.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 110:7; Mishneh Berurah 110:22-23, 33)

May we soon see the rebuilding of Yerushalayim,
Mordechai

Tefilat haDerech for a flight

Hi,


The consensus of halachic authorities (as reflected in the collection in Yechaveh Daat 2:26) is that one recites Tefilat haDerech when traveling by plane.

One might have thought otherwise, as the Rogatchover Gaon noted, because the biblical term בדרך - "on the derech" - is classically understood (Chullin 139a) as not referring to an aerial space. Nonetheless, we rule that one does recite Tefilat haDerech for flights.

Have a good day,
Mordechai

How far must I travel to warrant tefilat haderech [the traveler's prayer]? Part II

Hi,

Yesterday we noted that the Shulchan Aruch says to recite Tefilat haDerech upon traveling one parsah.

Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yechaveh Daat 2:26) rules that this refers to time, rather than distance. A person walking at a normal pace needs 72 minutes to travel a single parsah. Therefore, one who travels for 72 minutes must recite Tefilat haDerech.

Have a great day,
Mordechai

How far must I travel to warrant tefilat haderech [the traveler's prayer]?

Hi,

The Shulchan Aruch [Orach Chaim 110:7] rules that land travel between cities requires Tefilat haDerech [The Traveler's Prayer] if one travels more than a פרסה - about 4 kilometers / 2.5 miles.

The Mishnah Berurah [110:30] clarifies that this applies to sea travel as well, and that travel of a shorter distance, through an area known to be dangerous, also warrants Tefilat haDerech.

Have a great day,
Mordechai