Chapter 49: Tefilas Haderech[1]

May it be Your will, Lord our G-d and G-d of our fathers, to lead us to peace and direct our steps to peace; to guide us to peace, to support us to peace, and to bring us to our destination in life, joy, and peace (one who intends to return that day says: and return us to peace). Deliver us from the hands of every enemy and lurking foe, from robbers and wild beasts on the journey, and from all kinds of calamities that may come and afflict the world; and bestow blessing upon all our actions. Grant me grace, kindness, and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who behold us, and bestow bountiful kindness upon us. Hear the voice of our prayer, for You hear everyone’s prayer. Blessed are You, Lord, who hears prayer.

1. During which travels is Tefilas Hadrech to be recited?[2]

Tefilas Haderech is only recited when one is traveling the distance of a Parsa, which is approximately 8000 Amos [or 3.8 KM], [pass the outskirts of the city, and only if there are no inhabited towns within this Parsa distance[3]]. One may however choose to say Tefilas Haderech without a concluding blessing even when traveling less than this distance between cities. On a road or path which is known to be dangerous one is required to say Tefilas Haderech with a blessing even when traveling less than a Parsa distance.

Should one say Tefilas Haderech when traveling on a road that passes areas that are inhabited?[4] When traveling on a road from one city to the next and the road passes through or very near other towns and cities, then if there is nevertheless a Parsa of distance of free road one is to say Tefilas Haderech within that Parsa. If there is no Parsa distance of free road, or one is unsure if there is, some are accustomed to only say Tefilas Haderech without a concluding blessing. Others however are accustomed to say Tefilas Haderech with a blessing when traveling by car, bus, or train even if there is not a Parsa distance of free road, as traveling itself by automobile requires Tefilas Haderech due to the frequent danger of accidents.

2. When on the road is the prayer to be said?

On the road versus within the city:[5] Tefilas Haderech is to be recited after leaving the city and its outskirts, which is defined as the area within 70 Amos from the city. One is not to say it while still within the city or its outskirts even if he has already began his travel. If one recited it while still in the city, after having decided to travel and preparing to leave, then he fulfills his obligation and is not to repeat it once he leaves the city that day. [If, however, he did not leave that day, or had not yet prepared himself to leave when he recited the prayer, then he must repeat the prayer upon traveling.]

Reciting the blessing within the first Parsa of the road:[6] One is initially to say Tefilas Haderech while traveling within the first Parsa distance from the outskirts of the city. If he did not say the blessing within the first Parsa, he may do so until he reaches within a Parsa distance from his destination. However, once he reaches a Parsa distance from the city of destination, then he is to say it without a concluding blessing, as will be explained next.

If one already arrived to the city of his destination, may he still say Tefilas Haderech? If one forgot to say Tefilas Haderech during the outset of his journey, and is still in the midst of his travels he may still say it until he reaches a Parsa distance from his city of destination. Once he has reached within a Parsa distance from the city, he is to say Tefilas Haderech without a concluding blessing that day.[7] However when he travels from that city, either on his return trip home, or if he is traveling to a different city, then he is to say Tefilas Haderech with a blessing if he is traveling a Parsa distance.[8] Furthermore, in such a case, he may say Tefilas Haderech even while still in the city, and even if he is staying in the city for the night, and will be continuing his travels the next day.[9] [If he is traveling from that city the same day as his arrival, then he may say Tefilas Haderech even within a Parsa distance from the city of destination, (and even within the city itself), being that he is currently in the midst of his travels and will still be traveling a Parsa that day.[10]] 

When traveling on an airplane, when is Tefilas Haderech to be recited?[11] If the airport from which you are flying from is not within the city and one must travel more than a Parsa distance [i.e. 3.8 km] from the city until one gets to the airport, then he is to recite the prayer of Tefilas Haderech during his travel to the airport after leaving the city, and this will include also the flight. [Thus, one who lives in northern or southern Israel and must travel to Ben-Gurion airport to catch his flight, is to recite Tefilas Haderech on his way to the airport.] If, however, the airport is within the same city, such as one who lives in New York City who is taking a flight from JFK, then the prayer of Tefilas Haderech is only to be recited on the plane. Ideally, it should be recited only after the plane takes off. Nonetheless, many Rabbanim are of the opinion that it should be recited while still on the runway directly prior to takeoff or within takeoff. Practically, one who did not say prior to takeoff should say it after taking off.

3. Is the prayer to be said sitting or standing, and must one stop traveling while saying the prayer?[12]

Must one stop traveling? When [easily] possible one is to stop traveling while saying Tefilas Haderech. Thus, if one is in a car he should stop on the side of the road and then say it, and if walking he is to stop walking and say it. If this is not possible, such as when on a train or bus, one may say it while still traveling.

Must one stand? When one is in a car or the like, there is no need for him to stand while saying the prayer, and rather he may stop on the side of the road [as explained above] and say it while sitting. [When, however, one is in a train or other moving vehicle that cannot be stopped, then one should stand, if possible, while saying Tefilas Haderech. It is recorded that the Rebbe on his trip to Gan Yisrael stopped the car and said Tefilas Haderech while standing.]

The Rebbe Rashab:[13] Whenever the Rebbe Rashab traveled, after traveling some four miles he would call the coach to a halt, wash his hands (netilas yadayim), and recite the Prayer for Travelers. When traveling by wagon, he would remain seated while he recited it; when in a train he would stand. In another source it is recorded that the Rebbe Rashab would descend from the wagon and then go between the trees, return, wash his hands [and say Asher Yatzar] and he would then say Tefilas Haderech.

4. Saying Tefilas Haderech after saying an after blessing:[14]

Tefilas Haderech does not begin with a blessing, as it is merely a request for mercy. Nevertheless, it is best to approximate Tefilas Haderech to an after blessing. Hence, if one is leaving in the morning before saying Birchas Hashachar then he should say Tefilas Haderech immediately after the blessing of “Hagomel Chassadim Tovim.” If he is leaving after having said Birchas Hashachar, he is to say an after blessing after food or using the bathroom, and then say Tefilas Haderech immediately after.

5. If one is traveling many times on the same day is Tefilas Haderech to be said each time?[15]

According to all opinions[16], Tefilas Haderech is only said once a day, as it includes all the travels of that day. Thus, if one said Tefilas Haderech in the morning on the outset of his journey he does not repeat it upon his return trip that day. Likewise, if one is making many round trips back and forth to and from his city in a single day, he only says Tefilas Haderech once during his first trip. Regarding saying Tefilas Haderech when returning from his journey on a different day, see next Halacha!

6. Is Tefilas Haderech to be recited on the subsequent days of the journey, and on one’s return trip:[17]

Tefilas Haderech is only recited with Hashem’s name in the concluding blessing the first day of one’s travels. On every subsequent day, whether one is traveling or is remaining in his lodging, the prayer is said directly after Davening without mentioning Hashem’s name in the concluding blessing. Likewise, upon returning from the journey one does not say Hashem’s name in the concluding blessing and is rather to say it in the morning after Davening as he did the previous days. [Some Poskim[18] however rule that even according to Admur in the Siddur, if one is traveling for a long period of time and will be going from city to city, then each time he travels from one city to the next he is to say Tefilas Haderech with a concluding blessing. This especially applies if one will be staying in a city as opposed to a hotel on the road.]

Should one say the Tefilas Haderech without Hashem’s name in the blessing on Shabbos of his travels? Some[19] rule the Tefilas Haderech is never to be said on Shabbos, as one is not allowed to request personal matters on Shabbos.

If one travels to work out of the city daily, is he to say Tefilas Haderech daily?[20] It is questionable whether he should say Tefilas Haderech daily with a blessing or not.

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[1] See Admur 110; Ketzos Hashulchan 67; Ishei Yisrael 50; Tefila Kehilchasa 27

[2] Admur 110:8

[3] Ketzos Hashulchan 67 footnote 3

[4] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 110:8

[5] Admur 110:6

[6] Admur 110:8

[7] Admur 110:8; This applies even in accordance to the ruling of Admur in the Siddur that one says Tefilas Haderech one time for the entire trip, as since one will not be traveling a Parsa anymore that day it is not proper for him to say Tefilas Haderech now with a blessing having in mind his future travels of a Parsa which will only occur on later days.[Ketzos Hashulchan 110 footnote 5] If, however, he does plan to continue traveling that day, then obviously he may say Tefilas Haderech with a blessing even within the city. [Ketzos Hashulchan 110 footnote 3]

[8] So is implied from Admur and so rule Ketzos Hashulchan 67 footnote 3 regarding traveling to Kever Rachal and footnote 5.

[9] Admur 110:6; and so is implied from Ketzos Hashulchan 67 footnote 3 and 5 even according to the Sidddur

[10] Ketzos Hashulchan 67 footnote 3 regarding Kever Rachal

[11] See Sefer Haminhagim Chabad p. 14; Shulchan Menachem 1:135; Piskeiy Teshuvos 110:2; Halacha Berurah [Yosef] 110:10;

[12] Admur 110:4

[13] Kuntrus Umayan page 34; Sefer Haminhagim page 46

[14] Admur 110:7

[15] Admur 110:5

[16] Meaning even in accordance to the Shulchan Aruch which rules Tefilas Haderech is recited each day of the travel.

[17] See Siddur Admur; Hayom Yom 19^th Tamuz; Shaar Hakolel 12:2;  Ketzos Hashulchan 67:3 footnote 6

[18] Ketzos Hashulchan ibid

[19] Rav Raskin in glosses on Siddur

[20] Ketzos Hashulchan 67 footnote 6