Reciting Tefillas Haderech for Others

May One Recite Tefilas Haderech on Behalf of Others?

 

It is important for all those who are traveling together to say Tefilas Haderech (the Traveler’s Prayer) simultaneously. In case there are not enough siddurim available, an option is for one of the travelers to recite Tefilas Haderech word by word, and for the others to repeat the words in unison. 

Some have the practice of one person saying the tefilah and being motzi (fulfilling the obligation of) all the others in the group. In order for one person to be motzi others, the following conditions have to be met: 1) The one saying the tefilah must have in mind to be motzi all the others. 2) The listeners have to bear in mind that they are being yotzei through the reader. 3) They must hear every word. 4) They may not hear the tefilah through a microphone. After the conclusion of the tefilah they all should answer amen.

Even if all the above conditions are met, it is nevertheless not the preferred manner. The right way is for every person to say Tefilas Haderech by themselves—but it should be said simultaneously.  #377

https://halacha2go.com?number=377

Practical Halacha: One minute a day. By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D'asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights.