By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
Many people who travel frequently hesitate to recite the bracha of Tefillas HaDerech daily, as there might not be a chiyuv to say it when traveling through populated areas. An eitzah is to include Tefillas HaDerech in the Shemoneh Esrei within the bracha of Shema Koleinu right before traveling. This way, there is no concern about possibly saying a bracha l’vatala.
A common question arises when a person is unsure whether they will travel that day but might need to. Can they add this tefillah in Shema Koleinu, or should they avoid potentially unnecessary additions in the Shemoneh Esrei?
Reb Chaim Kanievsky addressed this question, advising that when one adds the tefillah in Shema Koleinu for safe travel, it benefits other travelers as well. Therefore, it is recommended to include the tefillah even if one is uncertain about traveling. Rabbi Yaakov Meir Stern explained Reb Chaim Kanievsky’s reasoning: since the tefillah is said in plural form and not singular, it effectively aids other travelers too. Rabbi Stern suggests adding a conditional phrase at the beginning of the addition in Shemoneh Esrei: “im esa hayom” (if I will travel today). This ensures it does not appear as if the person praying is lying.
Many other Gedolim agreed with the psak of Reb Chaim Kanievsky, including Rabbi Shammai Gross, who added that this is why the tefillah is written in the future tense “shetolicheini l’shalom” (you should guide me peacefully). This indicates that it is not a lie because, even if one does not travel today, they will eventually travel. Nonetheless, Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer Stern advises that if one is certain they will not travel that day, they should not add the tefillah to avoid an unnecessary hefsek in Shemoneh Esrei.
This halacha applies even if one is traveling for a mitzvah, such as meeting their Rebbe or collecting tzedaka. Despite the rule “shluchei mitzvah einan nizokin” (those on a mission of mitzvah do not get hurt), the concept of “shachi-ach hezeika” (it is common to get hurt) still applies. Since accidents on the road are common, the protection of doing a mitzvah is not sufficient. Therefore, one should ensure to say Tefillas HaDerech while traveling, or at the very least, add it to Shema Koleinu in Shemoneh Esrei.
May everyone have safe travels.
{Matzav.com}