If you got here you probably heard a thing or 2 about Tefilat HaDerech, but you want to learn a bit more about it’s origins , when you use this prayer and why. Well let’s learn fast!
What is Tefilat HaDerech?
Tefilat HaDerech, which translates to “The Traveler’s Prayer” in English, is a Jewish prayer recited by individuals who are traveling (by car, airplane any means really). This ancient prayer, dating back to the Talmudic era, is a request for divine protection and safe passage during one’s travels. It reflects the Jewish belief in seeking God’s guidance and safekeeping in all aspects of life, including the potential dangers associated with travel.
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The Origins and History of the Prayer
The origins of Tefilat HaDerech can be traced back to the Babylonian Talmud (Berachot 29b), where it was first mentioned. In ancient times, travel was far more risky than it is today, with threats from bandits, wild animals, and harsh weather conditions. The prayer was composed to address these concerns and provide spiritual comfort to travelers.
Over the centuries, the prayer has evolved slightly in its wording and customs surrounding its recitation, but its core purpose remains unchanged.
When and How to Recite Tefilat HaDerech
Tefilat HaDerech is typically recited at the beginning of a journey/trip, preferably after leaving the city/village limits some sources talk about after 2.8 miles of travel. Here are some guidelines for recitation:
- It’s ideally said while standing, though it can be recited while seated if necessary (e.g., in a moving vehicle).
- The prayer is said once per journey, even if the trip spans multiple days.
- If one makes significant stops along the way (e.g., overnight stays), the prayer should be repeated when resuming travel.
- It’s customary to recite the prayer in the plural form, even when traveling alone, to include all Jewish travelers in the prayer.
The Text and Translation of Tefilat HaDerech
Here’s the Hebrew text of the prayer, followed by an English translation:
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁתּוֹלִיכֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם וְתַצְעִידֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם וְתַדְרִיכֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם, וְתַגִּיעֵנוּ לִמְחוֹז חֶפְצֵנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשִׂמְחָה וּלְשָׁלוֹם. וְתַצִּילֵנוּ מִכַּף כָּל אוֹיֵב וְאוֹרֵב וְלִסְטִים וְחַיּוֹת רָעוֹת בַּדֶּרֶךְ, וּמִכָּל מִינֵי פֻּרְעָנִיּוֹת הַמִּתְרַגְּשׁוֹת לָבוֹא לָעוֹלָם. וְתִשְׁלַח בְּרָכָה בְּכָל מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֵינוּ, וְתִתְּנֵנוּ לְחֵן וּלְחֶסֶד וּלְרַחֲמִים בְּעֵינֶיךָ וּבְעֵינֵי כָל רוֹאֵינוּ. וְתִשְׁמַע קוֹל תַּחֲנוּנֵינוּ כִּי אֵל שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה וְתַחֲנוּן אָתָּה. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’, שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה.
English Translation:
“May it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our ancestors, that You lead us toward peace, guide our footsteps toward peace, and make us reach our desired destination for life, gladness, and peace. May You rescue us from the hand of every foe, ambush along the way, and from all manner of punishments that assemble to come to earth. May You send blessing in our handiwork, and grant us grace, kindness, and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us. May You hear the sound of our humble request because You are God Who hears prayer requests. Blessed are You, Lord, Who hears prayer.”
English Transliteration
Yehi ratzon milfanecha Adonai Eloheinu ve’Elohei avoteinu,
shetolicheinu l’shalom v’tatz’ideinu l’shalom v’tadricheinu l’shalom,
v’tagi’einu limchoz cheftzeinu l’chayim ul’simchah ul’shalom.
V’tatzileinu mikaf kol oyev v’orev v’listim v’chayot ra’ot baderech,
umikol minei pur’aniyot hamitrag’shot lavo la’olam.
V’tishlach b’rachah b’chol ma’aseh yadeinu,
v’tit’neinu l’chen ul’chesed ul’rachamim b’einecha uv’einei chol ro’einu.
V’tishma kol tachanuneinu ki El shome’a t’filah v’tachanun atah.
Baruch atah Adonai, shome’a t’filah.
Special Addition When Traveling by Airplane
וְיְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְפָנֶיךָ שֶׁתִּשְׁמְרֵנוּ מֵרוּחַ סוֹעָה וְסַעַר וּמִצַּעַר,
וְתוֹצִיא רוּחַ טוֹב מֵאוֹצְרוֹתֶיךָ לְהַנְהִיג אֶת סְפִינַת הָאֲוִיר,
וְחַזֵּק כָּל מַנְהִיגֶיהָ שֶׁיִּנְהֲגוּ אוֹתָהּ כָּרָאוּי,
וְהַגִּיעֵנוּ אל מְחוֹז חֶפְצֵנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשָׁלוֹם בְּלִי שׁוּם פַּחַד.
שָׁמְרָה נַפְשִׁי וְהַצִּילֵנִי, אל אֵבוֹשׁ כִּי חָסִיתִי בָּךְ.
וַאֲנַחְנוּ נְבָרֵךְ יָ־הּ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם הַלְלוּיָ־הּ
Special Addition When Traveling in Sea
וְיְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְפָנֶיךָ שֶׁתַּעֲמִיד הַיָּם מִזַּעְפּוֹ, וְיֶחֱשׁוּ גַלָּיו,
וְתַעֲשֶׂה רְצוֹן לִבֵּנוּ וְתוֹלִיכֵנוּ מְהֵרָה אל מְחוֹז חֶפְצֵנוּ לְטוֹבָה,
כַּאֲשֶׁר בְּיָדְךָ לַעֲשׂוֹת, וְתִשְׁמַע תְּפִלָּתֵנוּ וְתַאֲזִין תְּחִנָּתֵנוּ
וַעֲנֵנוּ בְּשָׁעָה הַזֹּאת שֶׁאָנוּ מִתְפַּלְּלִים וּמִתְחַנְּנִים לְפָנֶיךָ,
וְתוֹלִיכֵנוּ בְּנַחַת רוּחַ טוֹב כְּפִי הַצֹּרֶךְ, וְתִשְׁמְרֵנוּ מֵהֲמוֹן גַּלִּים
וּמִשְּׁאוֹן מִשְׁבְּרֵי יָם, מֵרוּחַ סֹעָה מִסַּעַר וּמִצַּעַר וּמִבִּלְבּוּל עִתִּים וּמֵחִלּוּף זְמַנִּים וּמֵהַבְּרִיּוֹת הָרָעוֹת הַגְּדֵלוֹת בַּיָּם וּבַיַּבָּשָׁה, וּמִכָּל צָרָה וּמִכָּל הֶפְסֵד.
וְאַל יְעַכְּבֵנוּ לֹא מַשְֹׁטִין וְלֹא מֵצַּר וְלֹא מַזִּיק וְלֹא מְבַלְבֵּל וְלֹא מַפְחִיד וְלֹא מְאַיֵּם.
וְתוֹצִיא רוּחַ טוֹב מֵאוֹצְרוֹתֶיךָ לְהַנְהִיג הַסְּפִינָה,
וְחַזֵּק כָּל תּוֹפְשֵׂי מָשׁוֹט וּמַנְהִיגֶיהָ וּמַלָּחֶיהָ וְחוֹבְלֶיהָ וְאָמָנֶיהָ שֶׁיִּנְהֲגוּ אוֹתָהּ כָּרָאוּי,
בְּלֹא עַצְלוּת וּבְלֹא חִשּׁוּל וּבְלֹא תִשּׁוּת כֹּחַ,
וְהַגִּיעֵנוּ אל מְחוֹז חֶפְצֵנוּ בְּלִי שׁוּם הֶזֵּק וּבְלִי שׁוּם צַעַר וּבְלִי שׁוּם פַּחַד,
כִּי אַתָּה מוֹשֵׁל בְּגֵאוּת הַיָּם בְּשׂוֹא גַלָּיו אַתָּה תְשַׁבְּחֵם.
הָקֵם סְעָרָה לִדְמָמָה וְיֶחֱשׁוּ גַלָּיו.
שָׁמְרָה נַפְשִׁי וְהַצִּילֵנִי, אַל אֵבוֹשׁ כִּי חָסִיתִי בָךְ.
וַאֲנַחְנוּ נְבָרֵךְ יָ־הּ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם, הַלְלוּיָָ־הּ
The Significance and Meaning Behind the Words
Tefilat HaDerech encompasses several key themes:
- Divine guidance: Asking God to lead and guide the traveler.
- Peace: The prayer emphasizes peace multiple times, reflecting its importance in Jewish thought.
- Protection: It seeks safeguarding from various dangers, both physical and spiritual.
- Success: The prayer asks for blessing in one’s endeavors.
- Favor: It requests grace in the eyes of others, recognizing the importance of positive human interactions during travel.
- Faith: The prayer affirms belief in God’s ability to hear and respond to prayers.
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