HALACHOS FOR THE SUMMER (5785) Part 1

by Rabbi Eidlitz

The summer provides unique opportunities for growth in our avodas HaShem. During the summer we often can utilize Halacha in ways that do not present themselves during the year. Following are some guidelines that may help us to successfully navigate the challenges and opportunities of the summer months.

Contents:

• Tefilas Haderech
• Birkas Hagomel
• Sakanah
• Kashrus in Hotels and Rental Houses
• Tevilas Kailim
• The Three Weeks
• Tisha B’Av
• Scooters on Shabbos

TEFILAS HADERECH and HAGOMEL

1. Gemara Brachos 29b – Eliyahu Hanavi told Reb Yehudah:
   

   כל היוצא לדרך צריך להתפלל תפלת הדרך. מאי תפלת הדרך? יהי רצון מלפניך ד' אלקי שתוליכני לשלום ותצעידני לשלום ותצילני מכף כל אויב ואורב בדרך, ותשלח ברכה במעשי ידי, ותתנני לחן לחסד ולרחמים בעיניך ובעיני כל רואי, ברוך אתה ד שומע תפלה. אמר אביי: לעולם לישתף אינש נפשיה בהדי צבורא

   The Gemorah teaches that while we always need Hashem’s protection, it is needed even more during travel and thus warrants a special Tefilah.

   Rashi and the Rashba (Brachos 29b) understand from the Gemara that Tefilas Haderech can only be said up to 1 Parsa from town (a bit under 3 miles) since we are asking permission to travel from one community to another. The Rosh (Brachos 4:18), Behag, and Mechaber (O.C. 110:7) say that we start saying it only after a Parsa and up to 1 Parsa of ending the journey since one still needs Hashem’s extra protection. The trip is considered to have started 70 Amos (120 feet) after the last house of the town, which is defined in Halacha as “leaving town”. Mishna Berura (Orach Chaim 110:29) says it should be said within 3 miles of “leaving town”.

2. Taz: We can say Tefilas Haderech at home as soon as we start the trip. The MB (O.C. 110) says to follow the Mogen Avrohom and wait until we leave town. The Steipler would say it upon entering a highway.
3. Rivavos Ephraim (6:109): When traveling on a ship, say Tefilas Haderech as soon as it leaves the dock; on a plane, as soon as it is moving. Rav Ruderman (Mipi Hashmuah) says to wait until the plane is on the runway and taking off.
4. Reb Yaakov Kamenetzky paskens to say Tefilas Haderech whether or not we are nervous about the trip.
5. Yabia Omer (1:13): Any mode of travel of 72 minutes or more away from a town requires saying Tefilas Haderech.
6. Mishna Berura (O.C. 110:28): Lechatchila we make it a Bracha Ha’Smucha Lechaverta (connected to another bracha) by first saying a bracha on something else.
7. Gemara Brachos (30a): Rav Shaises – may recite Tefilas Haderech while walking. Rav Chisda – only standing. On a plane or in a car, sit, since standing makes concentration hard. Mishna Berura (110:22): Say it in whatever position gives better kavanah.
8. Piskei Teshuvos (110:3): Preferably each person should say it themselves, but one can be Motzei others. However, a Koton cannot be Motzei a Gadol.
9. MB (110:26): Typically say Tefilas Haderech once a day, which covers until sleeping in a bed. If sleeping in a seat (on plane, car, etc.), it can cover the next day too.

BIRKAS HAGOMEL

Gemara Brachos (54b): A person who traveled through an ocean or desert, was released from jail, or healed from serious illness and is no longer in danger says the Bracha:

הגומל לחייבים טובות שגמלני כל טוב

This bracha is also said when flying over an ocean, such as to Eretz Yisroel. It is said at the conclusion of the trip, not during a stopover.

Reb Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Halichos Shlomo, Hilchos Tefillah 23:5) and Reb Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe, O.C. 2:59) pasken that a person should say Birkas Hagomel after any flight. However, the Tzitz Eliezer (11:14) says that the Minhag is to say the beracha only when flying over an ocean.

Mishna Berura (219:6): Say it in a Minyan, with the one saying the bracha counted among the ten.

Rivavos Ephraim (1:156): It should be said standing, and is usually recited after getting an Aliyah, as stated in Mishna Berura (219:2).