{"id":47702,"date":"2026-11-04T09:34:58","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T09:34:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?p=47702"},"modified":"2026-11-04T09:34:58","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T09:34:58","slug":"article-20217-en","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?p=47702&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Setting out on a journey in Jewish tradition \u2014 prayer, customs and responsibility"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.es-site{--ink:#483320;--paper:#fbf8f2;--gold:#a78349;background:var(--paper);color:var(--ink);font:18px\/1.85 Arial,sans-serif;overflow-wrap:break-word}\n.es-site *{box-sizing:border-box}.es-site a{color:#6b5036;text-underline-offset:4px}.es-site h1,.es-site h2,.es-site h3{color:#483320;line-height:1.35;font-weight:600}.es-site h1{font-size:clamp(36px,5vw,64px);margin:12px 0}.es-site h2{font-size:clamp(28px,3vw,40px);margin:0 0 24px}.es-site h3{font-size:23px;margin:0 0 16px}.es-site p{margin:0 0 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href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1052&#038;lang=en#amulets\">Amulets<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1052&#038;lang=en#contact\">Contact the office<\/a><\/nav>\n<style>.es-site img{max-width:100%;height:auto}.es-site iframe{max-width:100%}.es-site .es-archive-body{max-width:1100px}.es-site .es-archive-body h1{font-size:clamp(28px,4vw,44px)}.es-site .es-archive-body table{max-width:100%;overflow-wrap:anywhere}<\/style>\n<p><main class=\"es-wrap es-archive-body\"><\/p>\n<h1>Setting out on a journey in Jewish tradition \u2014 prayer, customs and responsibility<\/h1>\n<figure><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/article-journey.webp\" alt=\"Stone path among olive trees \u2014 illustration for an article about setting out on a journey\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:8px\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"emanuel-editorial\" dir=\"ltr\">\n<p>Leaving home confronts a person with the uncertainty of the road. This is why journeys have a special place in prayer and the literature of customs. Travelers ask to reach their destination safely and to return home in peace. This plea accompanies them even when a journey is well planned.<\/p>\n<h2>Tables of days and hours in books of customs<\/h2>\n<p>Ancient literature contains tables attributing different qualities to weekdays, days of the month and hours. Some concern setting out on a journey, trade or beginning work. The rules are not identical in every book, and traditions sometimes contradict one another. This calls for careful reading, without presenting a single table as guidance accepted by all Jews.<\/p>\n<p>The halakhic discussion of divination, auspicious times and customs is complex. Anyone wishing to follow a particular tradition should clarify it with their rabbi. It should not be taken to mean that travel is safe on one day and dangerous on another, and urgent treatment must not be delayed because of a table of segulot.<\/p>\n<h2>Another person must not be treated as a bad omen<\/h2>\n<p>Various folk sources also mention signs associated with encounters with people or animals. Such descriptions must not be used to undermine someone\u2019s dignity, avoid them because of a disability, or view a woman passing on the road as a sign of failure. Human dignity does not depend on interpretations of omens.<\/p>\n<h2>The traveler\u2019s prayer and heartfelt intention<\/h2>\n<p>The traveler\u2019s prayer asks for protection and success on the journey. The rules for reciting it, its timing and the wording of its blessing depend on circumstances and custom; when in doubt, clarify the halakhah. The text can be prepared beforehand, and it should not be read in a way that distracts the driver.<\/p>\n<p>The intention is not to close our eyes to risk, but to join faith with responsibility. Adequate sleep, checking the vehicle, wearing a seat belt, choosing a suitable route and following guidance are part of the effort required.<\/p>\n<h2>A journey of kindness<\/h2>\n<p>A journey can begin with a good deed or charity according to one\u2019s means, while patience and respectful conduct should also accompany the road. Those traveling with family or a group can help plan breaks and consider others\u2019 needs. In this way the prayer\u2019s plea for peace gains practical expression.<\/p>\n<p><small>For study: Berakhot 29\u201330, the traveler\u2019s prayer; Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 110; Yoreh De\u2019ah 179, laws concerning divination and customs.<\/small><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/p>\n<footer class=\"es-footer\">\n<p>Rabbi Emanuel Shahar \u00b7 Tiferet Malchut Shlomo<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=20352&#038;lang=en\">About the Rabbi<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=50002&#038;lang=en\">Terms of use<\/a><\/p>\n<nav class=\"es-langs\" aria-label=\"Language\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=22&#038;lang=he\" hreflang=\"he\" lang=\"he\">\u05e2\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05ea<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1052&#038;lang=en\" hreflang=\"en\" lang=\"en\" aria-current=\"page\">English<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1053&#038;lang=fr\" hreflang=\"fr\" lang=\"fr\">Fran\u00e7ais<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=1054&#038;lang=ar\" hreflang=\"ar\" lang=\"ar\">\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0631\u0628\u064a\u0629<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=20074&#038;lang=es\" hreflang=\"es\" lang=\"es\">Espa\u00f1ol<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=20369&#038;lang=fa\" hreflang=\"fa\" lang=\"fa\">\u0641\u0627\u0631\u0633\u06cc<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/emanuelshahar.com\/?page_id=20374&#038;lang=tr\" hreflang=\"tr\" lang=\"tr\">T\u00fcrk\u00e7e<\/a><\/nav>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Leaving home confronts a person with the uncertainty of the road. This is why journeys have a special place in prayer and the literature of customs. 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