Tefilat HaDerech | תפילת הדרך באנגלית
prayer for the road – Tefilat HaDerech | תפילת הדרך באנגלית
Tefilat HaDerech (תפילת הדרך) or the Traveler's Prayer or Wayfarer's Prayer in English, is a prayer for a safe journey recited by Jews, when they travel, by air, sea, and even on long car trips. It is recited at the onset of every journey, and preferably done standing but this is not necessary. It is often inscribed onto hamsas which sometimes contain the Sh'ma or Birkat HaBayit prayer instead.
(prayer for the road).
Tefilat HaDerech | תפילת הדרך באנגלית
Translation:
May it be Your will, G‑d, our G‑d and the G‑d of our fathers, that You should lead us in peace and direct our steps in peace, and guide us in peace, and support us in peace, and cause us to reach our destination in life, joy, and peace (If one intends to return immediately, one adds: and return us in peace).
Save us from every enemy and ambush, from robbers and wild beasts on the trip, and from all kinds of punishments that rage and come to the world.
May You confer blessing upon the work of our hands and grant me grace, kindness, and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us, and bestow upon us abundant kindness and hearken to the voice of our prayer, for You hear the prayers of all.
Blessed are You G‑d, who hearkens to prayer.
Transliteration:
Yehi ratzon milefanecha Ado-nai Eloh-einu veilohei avoseinu shetolicheinu leshalom vesatzideinu leshalom vesadricheinu leshalom vesismecheinu leshalom vesagi’einu limechoz cheftzeinu lechaim ulesimchah uleshalom
(If he intends to return immediately, he adds: vesachazireinu leshalom)
vesatzileinu mikaf kol oyeiv ve’oreiv velistim vechayos ra’os baderech umikol puraniyos hamisragshos uva’os le’olam vesishlach berachah bechol ma’aseh yadeinu vesitneini lechein ulechesed ulerachamim be’einecha uveinei chol ro’einu vesigmeleinu chasadim tovim vesishma kol tefilaseinu ki Atah shomei’ah tefilas kol peh. Baruch Atah Ado-nai shomei’ah tefilah.
Laws
From the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 68:1
Tefilat HaDerech – the traveler's prayer – cannot be said before one has left the city limits; defined as 70 and ⅔ Amot (~350 meters / ~0.2 miles) after the last house.
Preferably it should be said one "Miel" (~1 km / ~0.6 miles) from the city limit.
When overnighting on a multi-day trip, one says Tefilat HaDerech before leaving for the day.
