Tefilat Ha-derekh (The Wayfarer’s Prayer)

The Sages instituted a prayer for one setting out on a journey: Tefilat Ha-derekh (the Wayfarer’s Prayer) (Berakhot 29b). In the past, the danger of the roads stemmed from robbers, wild animals, or natural hazards; nowadays, the main danger is from road accidents. In any case, the same prayer that the Sages instituted is suited to all types of danger on the roads.

The most protected place for people is their natural environment, that is, the home or the city. But when a person is cut off from the city, from his friends and neighbors, and sets out on the road, he is exposed to a certain danger. If he is attacked, there will be fewer people who can come to his aid; if he is injured, more time will pass until he is taken to the hospital (see Maharal, Netiv Gemilut Ḥasadim 5). Therefore, the Sages instituted Tefilat Ha-derekh. When we examine the text of the prayer, we find that it is said in the plural, and this is not by chance. Spiritually, disconnection from the community is the root of the danger on the road, and therefore one setting out on a journey should include himself with the community, and in this way his prayer will be better received.

Since we are already standing in prayer before the Creator and asking that the journey pass in peace, we add a request that God also make our way successful (Berakhot 29b; 30a). This is the text of the prayer: “May it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our fathers, that You lead us in peace, direct our steps in peace, and guide us in peace, and bring us to our desired destination for life, joy, and peace. Save us from the hand of every enemy and ambush along the way, and from all kinds of calamities that stir to come upon the world. Send blessing upon the work of our hands, and grant us grace, kindness, and compassion in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us. Hear the voice of our supplications, for You are God Who hears prayer and supplication. Blessed are You, Lord, Who hears prayer.” There are certain differences between the versions of Tefilat Ha-derekh, and all of them are good.

Since nowadays the main danger of the roads is from accidents, some hold that it is proper to mention the danger of accidents in Tefilat Ha-derekh as well, as Ra’avyah wrote (vol. 1, Berakhot 86), that one may add to the prayer the dangers particular to that road. Some say that one who wishes to add may do so, and some say that saying “all kinds of calamities that stir to come upon the world” also includes road accidents, and therefore there is no need to add to the text instituted by the Sages. Each person may choose.^¹