The text · Nusach Ashkenaz
Yehi ratzon milfanecha, Adonai Eloheinu velohei avoteinu, shetolicheinu leshalom, vetatz'ideinu leshalom, vetadricheinu leshalom, vetismecheinu leshalom, vetagi'einu limchoz cheftzeinu lechayim ulsimcha ulshalom.
May it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our ancestors, that You lead us in peace, guide our steps in peace, direct our way in peace and support us in peace, and bring us to our destination in life, joy and peace.
If you are coming back the same day, add:
וְתַחֲזִירֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם.Vetachazireinu leshalom.
And bring us back in peace.
Vetatzileinu mikaf kol oyev ve'orev velistim vechayot ra'ot baderech, umikol pur'aniyot hamitragshot uva'ot la'olam. Vetishlach beracha bechol ma'aseh yadeinu, vetitneinu lechen ulchesed ulrachamim be'einecha uv'einei chol ro'einu, vetishma kol tachanuneinu, ki El shome'a tefila vetachanun Ata.
Save us from every enemy and ambush, from robbers and wild animals on the way, and from every kind of disaster that rages through the world. Send blessing to all the work of our hands, and let us find grace, kindness and compassion in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us. Hear our pleading voice, for You are God who hears prayer and pleading.
Baruch Ata Adonai, shome'a tefila.
Blessed are You, Lord, who hears prayer.
When to say it
- Once you are out of town: after passing the last houses of the city you are leaving.
- For a trip of at least a parsah, about 4 km (2.5 miles) beyond the city; for a shorter trip it is said without the closing blessing, "Baruch Ata Adonai, shome'a tefila".
- Once a day. On a journey of several days, say it again each day you travel.
- Standing still if you can; if you are riding or driving there is no need to stop.
- If you are driving, say it from memory or let a passenger read it. Never read from your phone while driving.
- On a flight, many say it after takeoff.
Customs vary in the details, such as the exact distance and whether a daily commute counts. Ask your rabbi.
Why it is said in the plural
Even when you travel alone, the prayer says “lead us”. The Talmud (Berachot 29b–30a) teaches that a person should always join himself to the community in prayer. Many have the custom of saying Tefilat HaDerech right after another blessing, such as Asher Yatzar or a blessing after eating, so that it is joined to a blessing.
How the nusachim differ
- Sfard and Edot HaMizrach follow it with verses said several times, beginning with “Vaya'akov halach ledarko” (Genesis 32:2–3).
- HaGra says a shorter text without “and direct our way” and the closing request to return in peace.
- Chabad (Nusach Ari) has its own wording.
Sources
Berachot 29b–30a; Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 110:4–7.
Questions
Do I say Tefilat HaDerech on a plane?
Many people say it once the plane has taken off, as long as the flight goes beyond the distance of a parsah from the city. Ask your rabbi about your own practice.
How many times do I say it on a long trip?
Once each day you travel. On a trip of several days, say it again each morning you set out.
Can I say it in English?
Yes. Prayers may be said in any language you understand; many say it in Hebrew.
Your traveler's prayer, in your nusach
SuperSiddur has Tefilat HaDerech in Ashkenaz, Sfard, Edot HaMizrach, HaGra and Nusach Ari, a tap away on your home screen, along with every other prayer for the day.