Tefilat HaDerech (Hebrew: 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.
For example, it can be said when you embark on your Israel National Trail hike, go on train from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem, or even take a local bus.
Tefilat HaDerech – Text
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ וֵא-לֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁתּוֹלִיכֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם וְתַצְעִידֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם. וְתִסְמְכֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם. וְתַדְרִיכֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם. וְתַגִּיעֵנוּ לִמְחוֹז חֶפְצֵנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשִֹמְחָה וּלְשָׁלוֹם וְתַצִּילֵנוּ מִכַּף כָּל אוֹיֵב וְאוֹרֵב וְלִסְטִים וְחַיּוֹת רָעוֹת בַּדֶּרֶךְ וּמִכָּל מִינֵי פֻּרְעָנִיּוֹת הַמִּתְרַגְּשׁוֹת לָבוֹא לָעוֹלָם וְתִשְׁלַח בְּרָכָה בְּכָל מַעֲשֵֹה יָדֵינוּ, וְתִתְּנֵנוּ לְחֵן וּלְחֶסֶד וּלְרַחֲמִים בְעֵינֶיךָ וּבְעֵינֵי כָל רוֹאֵינוּ וְתִשְׁמַע קוֹל תַּחֲנוּנֵינוּ. כִּי אֵ-ל שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה וְתַחֲנוּן אָתָּה: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’, שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה.
Y’hi ratzon milfanekha A-donai E-loheinu ve-lohei avoteinu she-tolikhenu l’shalom v’tatz’idenu l’shalom v’tadrikhenu l’shalom, v’tagi’enu limhoz heftzenu l’hayim ul-simha ul-shalom. V’tatzilenu mi-kaf kol oyev v’orev v’listim v’hayot ra’ot ba-derekh, u-mi-kol minei pur’aniyot ha-mitrag’shot la-vo la-olam. V’tishlah b’rakha b’khol ma’a’se yadeinu v’tit’nenu l’hen ul-hesed ul-rahamim b’einekha uv-einei khol ro’einu. V’tishma kol tahanuneinu ki E-l sho’me’a t’fila v’tahanun ata. Barukh ata A-donai sho’me’a t’fila.
“May it be Your will, Lord, our God and the 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 and ambush, from robbers and wild beasts on the trip, 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.”
When to say Tefillat Haderech?
According to the Halacha you should say Tefilat HaDerech when leaving your “place,” which may be a city, town, village, or even your home if you live in an isolated area. You may only say Tefilat HaDerech if you will go at least 2.8 miles outside the inhabited area.
If you will certainly leave the city limits at some point in your journey, you may say Tefilat HaDerech as soon as you start it (when you leave the house or enter your car).
When riding in a vehicle on a trip, you should say Tefilat HaDerech once each day, as long as:
You have gone (or will go) at least 2.8 miles past any populated area, and you will be breaking your trip at night. If you do not stop travelling at night, for example you will be living in an RV or other vehicle, only say it once for the entire trip. Same goes for a multi-day boat cruise – you say Tefillat Haderech only once during the journey – not each day.
Any time you stay overnight (on land) along the journey, say it again when you resume your travel.
Tefilat Haderech (Song by Debbie Friedman)
Tefillat Haderech, also known as the “wayfarer’s prayer,” originally founded in Talmud Berachot and later appearing in prayer books offers a blessing to those who are about to embark upon a journey. Debbie Friedman’s song and sentiment that can be shared on any occasion that involves a journey.
May we be blessed as we go on our way
May we be guided in peace May we be blessed with health and joy
May this our blessing, amen.
May we be sheltered by wings of peace
May we be kept in safety and in love
May grace and compassion find their way to every heart
May this be our blessing, amen.
Amen, may this be our blessing, amen.