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Tfilas HaDerech
1. One who embarks
on a journey, either
by foot, wagon,
train, etc. recites
the special Tfilas
HaDerech.
2. Although the
Halacha refers to a
journey beyond city
limits, i.e.
uninhabited areas,
the custom is to
recite it even in
the situation in
America where one
city leads into
another city. The
explanation for this
would be the added
danger of highway
accidents, which is
not related to
highwaymen or
thieves as in days
of old. The accepted
custom is not to
recite it when
travelling in the
city limits.
3. One recites this
tfila only when one
is already a few
miles into the
journey. If however,
one recited it in
the city limits one
need not repeat it.
4. One may recite it
as long as he
remembers before the
final few miles of
the journey.
5. It would be
proper to stop and
say it or even stand
up to say it.
However, if this
would disrupt his
trip and cause him
loss of
concentration one
may recite it even
sitting, even
moving.
6. If one settles in
a place for the
night one should
recite it again the
next morning. The
brocha is in effect
until the next
morning similar to
“Birchos HaShachar”.
If however, he does
not settle for the
night the Tfilas
HaDerech should be
recited without a
brocha at the end.
This would probably
apply to a plane
trip across the
ocean in which the
next morning arrives
while in flight. In
these cases, the
Tfilas HaDerech
could be
incorporated into
Shmone Esrei as part
of Shomea Tfila.
7. If one is in
transit and settles
for the night to
continue the journey
the next morning one
may recite the
Tfilas Haderech even
within city limits.
8. Since the prayer
does not begin with
“boruch Atah Hashem”
it is suggested to
precede the
recitation with a
“brocha achrona” on
food or any brocha
such as “Asher
yotzer”. If this is
not possible some
permit saying a
brocha on a food
item and then to
swallow a small
piece of that food
item and then to
recite Tfilas
HaDerech. If none of
the above is
possible, it is
recited as is
without positioning
it next to a brocha.
9. One who travels
on Shabbos for a
medical emergency or
such should still
say Tfilas HaDerech.
10. One, who is
travelling to the
funeral of a close
relative, although
exempt from mitzvos,
should still recite
Tfilas HaDerech.
11. If one begins
reciting it by heart
and forgets the
exact text, he may
complete the brocha
if he has included
the general theme of
the tfila.
12. As much as
possible, one should
occupy ones mind
with Torah and
“Divrei Kedusha”
when travelling,
since it is
considered a
dangerous moment.
13. One should
always prepare some
food for the trip,
even on a short
journey. Some have a
custom to always
bring along Talis
and Tfilin when
travelling, even if
one intends to
return that same
day.
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