Daily Halacha: When Should You Repeat Tefilat HaDerech?

Looking for a quick dose of Torah wisdom, practical halacha, and spiritual encouragement? Here are today's two daily halachot from the book Halacha Lemaaseh by Rabbi Yaron Ashkenazi, based on the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, zt"l, along with a meaningful segulah for healing and an inspiring message of faith.

Daily Halacha

If Someone Is Traveling to Multiple Destinations in One Day, Should They Recite Tefilat HaDerech More Than Once?

If a person is traveling throughout the day and visits several locations around the country, they should recite Tefilat HaDerech once at the beginning of the day's journey.

They should not repeat the prayer each time they begin driving on a new intercity route. However, if at some point they had fully intended to end their travels for the day and later changed their mind and resumed traveling, they should recite Tefilat HaDerech again before continuing.

If a Trip Continues Into the Night, Should Tefilat HaDerech Be Recited Again?

If a person recited Tefilat HaDerech during the day and their journey continues into the night, they do not repeat the prayer. The night is considered a continuation of the day that preceded it.

If the trip extends throughout the night and continues into the following morning, Tefilat HaDerech should be recited again in the morning, but without Hashem's name and kingship. Ideally, it should be included during Shacharit in the blessing of Shema Koleinu.

Today's Healing Practice

Need a complete recovery for yourself or for a loved one?

A remarkable practice is attributed to the Seer of Lublin, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz. It is brought in several sefarim, including Abi'ah Segulot and Segulot Yisrael, that when there is an ill person in the home, it is beneficial to commit to preparing a festive meal on a Tuesday after the person's recovery and dedicate it in honor of the prophet Hoshea ben Be'eri.

The Baal Shem Tov is also quoted as recommending that before accepting this commitment, a person recite the following verses from the Book of Isaiah:

"And when they say to you, 'Seek out the ghosts and the familiar spirits that chirp and mutter'—should not a people seek its Hashem? On behalf of the living, to the dead? To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn."

Another practice for recovery is attributed to Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, zt"l, and is brought in the sefer Or Elyon. It states that it is beneficial to perform a pidyon nefesh for the sick person through a rabbi and donate the amount of the pidyon nefesh to charity.

The sefer Kuntres HaYechieli notes that the numerical value of the words v'rapo yerapei is equal to the numerical value of pidyon nefesh—580. Many people have reported seeing salvation after undertaking this practice.