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Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon

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hen I brush my teeth and wash 2. The concern about brushing teeth is brachot. On the other hand, the Tefillat
my mouth with water, am I that we may swallow water. Therefore, HaDerech text is like a prayer, and it
W still considered to be fasting? since toothpaste is not fit for consumption, appears in the Shulchan Aruch (Siman
one can use it l’chatchila, since there is no 110) with other prayer issues, and not in
It is forbidden to wash one’s mouth on a fear of swallowing it. And if the purpose Hilchot Brachot. The Tosafot (Berachot
public fast day (Shulchan Aruch 5167:3), of washing our mouth is to remove the 60b; Pesachim 104a) also writes that
although the Rema (Darchei Moshe toothpaste (and we have no intention of Tefillat HaDerech does not begin with
100:1) writes that the Maharil permitted swallowing the water), it seems that this “Baruch” because it is a “Tefilla B’Alma” (a
‘rubbing’ one’s throat with water, but is permitted l’chatchila. If one wants to be regular prayer).
not on Tisha B’Av and Yom Kippur. The stringent, one can brush and wash with
Mishna Berura writes (5167:11) that mouthwash, and then there is certainly no Apart from that, the reason it is impossible
brushing teeth can be allowed in a case of prohibition (because mouthwashes are not to fulfill someone else’s prayer obligation
discomfort, but one should tilt one’s head fit to drink). is because of “a request for mercy,” and the
so as not to mistakenly swallow, which whole essence of Tefillat HaDerech is a
is also the Minchat Yitzchak’s opinion Therefore, it is permitted to brush one’s request for mercy!
(4:109). teeth on a lesser fast day l’chatchila.
However, this is not the case on Tisha B’Av So there are those that say one can exempt
But in our times, we can allow tooth and Yom Kippur (although there is room others, but it is best if everyone says Tefillat
brushing l’chatchila (from the outset)! Why? for discussion, but we are accustomed to HaDerech for themselves (Kinyan Torah
be extra stringent on these days). Responsa 2:119). Others have written that
1. Because we are used to brushing one cannot exempt others (Rav Chaim
our teeth every day, and we do feel When a group of people travel together, David Halevi, Mayim Chaim Responsa, 1:8).
uncomfortable if we don’t brush. is it better that one person says Tefillat
HaDerech for everyone or that each Indeed it is preferable if each person says it
person says it for themselves? for themselves, but it is worth having one
person say it out loud with everyone saying
The answer depends on whether Tefillat it with him (if someone finds it difficult
HaDerech (Prayer for a Journey) is a to say, or is concerned that perhaps there
bracha or a tefilla, a blessing or a prayer. If is no obligation to say it on this particular
it’s a blessing, one would be able to exempt journey, he should listen and answer
others, but if it’s a prayer, the Gemara says Amen.)
that prayer “is a request for mercy” and
that each individual is supposed to pray
for himself (apart from a person who
doesn’t know how to).

Is Tefillat HaDerech a bracha or a tefilla?
Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon is Head of
On the one hand, when the Gemara or Mizrachi’s Shalhevet Educational
the Rishonim talk about “Tefilla” they are Advisory Board, Chairman of the
usually referring to the Amidah, and all Halacha Education Center and
the brachot in the Amidah are considered Rabbi of Machon Lev

Photo of Rabbi Rimon: Yehoshua Halevi
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