Travelers Prayer
Where should I put my tattoo?
I'm getting a tattoo of a Jewish prayer in Hebrew for my birthday. It's called Tefilat HaDerech, which translates into the Traveler's Prayer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tefilat_HaDerech) . I wanted to get it on my foot, but all of the tattoo artists that I talked to said it was too big for my foot. I dont really want it to be on both feet, and I want it to still look script like, not a long line of words. Any ideas on where else I should put it or how I might be able to get in on my foot? I really want it on my foot since its a "travelers" prayer.
Thanks
I also want it in a place where I will be able to see it. I'm not a big fan of having a tattoo on your back, and then forgetting that you have one.
The Traveler's Prayer is quite a flexible prayer, and you can use chosen parts of it. This is the most basic form, and you can use what you need. (For example, do you really need the part about saving you from beasts along the way?)
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְפָנֶיךָ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ
May it be your will, our god and the god of our fathers
שֶתּוֹלִיכֵנוּ לְשָלוֹם וְתַצְעִידֵנוּ לְשָלוֹם. וְתַדְרִיכֵנוּ לְשָלוֹם. וְתַגִיעֵנוּ לִמְחוֹז חֶפְצֵנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשִמְחָה וּלְשָלוֹם
that you lead us in peace, guide our footsteps to peace, and make us reach our destination to life, happiness, and peace.
*I would stop here or add any of:*
וְתַצִּילֵנוּ מִכַּף כָּל אוֹיֵב וְאוֹרֵב וְלִסְטִים וְחַיּוֹת רָעוֹת בַדֶּרֶךְ וּמִכָּל מִינֵי פּוּרְעָנִיּוֹת הַמִתְרַגְּשוֹת לָבוֹא לָעוֹלָם
and rescue us from the hand of every foe, ambush, and beasts along the way, and from all calamities that may come to this world.
וְתִשְלַח בְּרָכָה בְּכל מַעֲשֵה יָדֵינוּ, וְתִתְּנֵנוּ לְחֵן וּלְחֶסֶד וּלְרַחֲמִים בְעֵינֶיךָ וּבְעֵינֵי כָל רוֹאֵינוּ
and bless all our deeds, and grant upon us grace, and kindness, and mercy in your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us.
וְתִשְמַע קוֹל תַּחֲנוּנֵינוּ. כִּי אֵל שוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה וְתַחֲנוּן אתה: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, שוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלָּה
and hear out begging, for you are a hearing god, listening to prayers and beggings: blessed are you god, who hears prayers.
