The Roads Are Presumed Dangerous: 10 Points on the Traveler's Prayer

1. The Traveler's Prayer is a Jewish prayer recited when a person sets out on a journey, and its main purpose is for the person to ask Hashem to protect them from the dangers that lurk on their path.

2. The Traveler's Prayer was established during the Talmudic period by Rav Chisda: "Rav Chisda said: Anyone who sets out on a journey should recite the Traveler's Prayer" (Babylonian Talmud, Berachot, page 29b).

3. The Traveler's Prayer was established because when a person leaves their home or a settled area, they distance themselves from human company and are exposed to potential dangers, and in remote places there may not be people available to help them. For this reason, this prayer is recited in the plural form - the person includes themselves with the many who are not with them, and through this, they will be saved.

4. The Traveler's Prayer is only recited when the journey does not pass through populated areas and is longer than a parsah (4 km), after the person has traveled about 70 cubits away from a populated area.

5. Reciting the prayer without mentioning Hashem's name is permitted on any journey, even a short and not dangerous one, because "all roads are presumed dangerous."

6. The Traveler's Prayer is not said more than once a day. If a person makes several journeys in one day, it is sufficient to recite the Traveler's Prayer the first time and to have in mind all the journeys they will make that day.

7. It is appropriate to connect the Traveler's Prayer to a long blessing that ends with "Baruch," such as the blessing of 'Asher Yatzar' or 'Al HaMichya.'

8. In addition to the Traveler's Prayer, there are also similar prayers based on the style of the Traveler's Prayer for those traveling by sea or flying in aircraft.

9. Ideally, when reciting the Traveler's Prayer, one should stop walking and stand or sit. When traveling by car, if possible, it is preferable to park on the side of the road and recite it with proper intention. However, this is not mandatory, and if the driver feels they can concentrate well on their prayer while driving, they may recite it while driving.

Regarding other passengers who are not driving, they may certainly recite the Traveler's Prayer while traveling, since driving does not disturb their concentration (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 110:4, Mishnah Berurah 23).

10. The Shulchan Aruch notes actions that should be taken before setting out on a journey: "Before setting out on a journey, one should give charity, as it is said, 'Righteousness shall go before him and shall make his footsteps a way.' One should seek permission from the elders of the city so they may bless him with success on his journey. One should try to have some people accompany him. And the one who accompanies his friend, when parting from him, should stand in his place until the traveler is out of sight. Those blessing the traveler should not say 'go in peace' but rather 'go to peace.' For David said to Absalom, 'go in peace,' and he went and was hanged. But Jethro said to Moses, 'go to peace,' and he went up and succeeded. When on the road, one should engage in Torah study, as it is said, 'and when you walk by the way.' And one should recite some Psalms each day with intention and humility."

All roads are presumed dangerous, our Sages teach us. So what do we do? We are careful, we take precautions, and most importantly, we pray. Watch Rabbi Avraham Ben Asulin's lecture on 'The Traveler's Prayer':