Our Sages said: “All roads are assumed to be dangerous” (Yerushalmi Berachos 4:4). They also said (Shabbos 32a) that one should not put themselves in a dangerous place, for perhaps a miracle will not be done for him, and if a miracle is done for him, Heaven subtracts from his merits. The worst part of traveling is that it is impossible to serve Hashem completely and to avoid all prohibitions. They therefore said, “fortunate is one who sits at home,” for there are many negative aspects to traveling on the roads. It is therefore better to suffice with less at home where he can eat at his own table and serve his Creator along with his children.

But if it was decreed by Heaven that one must set out on the roads, let the person pray before the trials begin, and before the trip he should arrange an escort and give charity and then set off on his route. Also, he should not let a day pass without reciting the Wayfarer’s Prayer, as our Sages instituted.

One must be especially careful while traveling to keep the mitzvos, such as prayer, tzitzis and tefillin. He should not pay any attention to the ridicule of the gentiles. One must be careful to avoid anything forbidden, minor or major, and to behave with extra piety in whatever way he can — since all roads are dangerous, with what will he have the merit to be protected from them if not for Torah and good deeds that act as shields against tragedy? Now, it is true that it is very difficult to be vigilant and vigorous about keeping mitzvos while on the road, but the circumstance demands that the person exert himself to do all that is in his power. About this it says, Whatever you are able to do with your might, do it (Koheles 9:10). If the person can, he should have his lips constantly uttering words of Torah by heart. That would be truly wonderful. Anyone who studies the holy Zohar knows how special it is to orally review Torah while traveling — no harm will befall the person, for the angel of Hashem will surround him.