Q & A: Tefillat HaDerech (Part I),Rabbi Yaakov Klass

QUESTION: In the past, a trip from Brooklyn to New Jersey was considered a 'big trip' and we recited Tefillat HaDerech along the way. Nowadays, people travel long distances on a daily basis. If one commutes a long distance to work, is there still a requirement to recite this prayer on a daily basis? What are the rules of saying Tefillat HaDerech?

R. Z.

(Via E-Mail)

ANSWER: The basis for Tefillat HaDerech - The Wayfarer's Prayer - is R. Yaakov's statement in the name of R. Hisda in Tractate Berachot (29b-30a): "One who departs on a journey should say the Wayfarer's Prayer. What is the [text of the] Wayfarer's Prayer? 'May it be Your will, O L-rd my G-d, to lead me forth in peace, and direct my steps in peace, and uphold me in peace, and safeguard me from the hand of every enemy and ambush along the way, and send a blessing on my handiwork, and may I find grace and kindness and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who gaze upon me. Blessed are You, O L-rd, who hearkens unto prayer.'"

Abaye said, "A man should always associate himself with the community. What should he say? 'May it be Your will, O L-rd our G-d, to lead us forth in peace...'" Abaye basically amended the previous text by changing the singular to the plural.

The Gemara now asks, When should this prayer be said? R. Yaakov in the name of R. Hisda stated, "At the moment one departs on a journey." How far [into the journey can he still say it]? (Rashi ad loc. interprets the question to mean how much time can elapse before saying it.) R. Yaakov said in the name of R. Hisda, "Until [he has gone] a parsah (a Persian mile, equivalent to approximately 2.3 statutory miles]." How does he say it? R Hisda said, "[While] standing in one place." R. Shesheth [said], "Even while he proceeds along the way."

Indeed, Abaye's amended text is similar to the version we use today that is found in most prayer books.

Rabbi Yosef Caro (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayyim 110:4-7) codifies our practice in regard to this halacha. He states: "One who departs on a journey should say, 'May it be Your will, O L-rd our G-d, the G-d of our fathers, to lead us forth in peace...' The prayer is to be said in the plural [our, us] and, if possible, one should stand still while reciting it. However, if one is riding there is no need to alight. It does not have to be recited more than once a day, even if one stops midday in a town to rest. However, if one has decided to stay [in that town] overnight but then changes course and continues the journey, or leaves in order to go home, the prayer should be recited again."

Rabbi Caro notes the practice of the Tosafist Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg: "When he embarked on a journey in the morning, he would recite that prayer following the Yehi Ratzon [of Birchot HaShachar] in order to connect it with the blessing of Gomel Chasadim (since the Wayfarer's Prayer itself does not start with 'Baruch')."

Therefore the Magen Avraham (Orach Chayyim 110:13) notes that if one is travelling at a later time in the day, it is proper to connect the Wayfarer's Prayer to another blessing, such as the Beracha Acharona after mezonot or the blessing of She'hakol.

Rabbi Caro states that the prayer is to be said once a person is on the road. It should not be said unless one is to go a distance of at least a parsah. If the distance is shorter, the prayer should not be concluded with Baruch (the Holy Name). If one forgot to recite it [while in the course of one's journey], one may do so as long as one is at least a parsah away from that day's destination. Thereafter, the prayer is said without the blessing.

From the above we see that there are still some ambiguities to resolve as well as differing views as to when the prayer is to be recited.

(To be continued)

Rabbi Klass can be contacted at yklass@jewishpress.com.

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Q & A: Tefillat HaDerech (Part I) , Rabbi Yaakov Klass