Tehillim 85 – A Segula to Give Tzedakah Before a Journey

Tehillim 85 – a segula to give tzedakah before a journey

Tehillim 85:14 “Tzedek lefanav yehalekh, veyasem lederekh pe'amav” – (Justice (Tzedakah) will go before Him and guide it along the path of His footsteps.” It is a beautiful Jewish custom to give tzedakah to loved ones before they set out on a journey, so that they will arrive safely at their destination. The words Tzedek (justice) and Tzedakah (charity) share the same root, allowing the Sages to derive a chiddush about the importance of giving tzedakah before a journey. As we can see, this tradition dates back to David HaMelech, and its source is in Tehillim. One may say: “When I arrive at such-and-such a place, I will (bli neder) give such-and-such an amount to tzedakah, Leilui Nishmat Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes.” (Kaf HaChaim 110, Eliyah Rabbah 110) It is also beneficial to protect a loved one who is preparing to travel by giving that person money to distribute to the poor or to the synagogue in the place where he or she is going. In this way, the traveler becomes an agent of a mitzvah and will be protected. (Rabbi Michael A. “Mercy,” Emek HaBrachah)