Shulchan Aruch (OC 110:7) writes that
Tefilas Haderech is recited only after one has begun their journey. Mishnah Berurah (110:29) explains that a journey begins only once one exits the city. So long as there are houses or buildings within 70
amos (approx. 125 ft.) of each other, one is still considered to be inside the city. When one passes a span of 70
amos that is empty of buildings, this is the border of the city. The Taz (OC 110:7) maintains that one may recite
Tefilas Haderech while still in the city, but most
poskim do not accept this, and
lechatchila one should wait until leaving the city. The Rosh (Berachos 4:18) cites an opinion that one may only recite
Tefilas Haderech during the first
parsah (8,000
amos; approximately 2 and 2/3 miles) outside of the city. Although, we do not
pasken like this, if possible, it is considered praiseworthy to satisfy this opinion as well.
If one did not recite
Tefilas Haderech right away, Shulchan Aruch (OC 110:7) writes that one may continue to recite
Tefilas Haderech so long as there is still a
parsah left before reaching the destination city. Once one reaches within a
parsah of the destination city,
Tefilas Haderech can no longer be recited with a
bracha.
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