Rabbi makes ruling on prayers in flight :: Namibia Internet Gateway cc ::

Articles: Rabbi makes ruling on prayers in flight

Posted by admin on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 12:44 AM

JERUSALEM -- A respected ultra-Orthodox rabbi has ruled that Jewish men should not pray together in a large group on airplanes if doing so causes a disturbance or safety hazard.
Jewish law requires that when 10 men are present, they should pray together as a group, in a minyan or quorum. Rabbi Shmuel Vozner, a religious authority in Israel's ultra-Orthodox community, gave his response following a question by a liaison between El Al Airlines and the ultra-Orthodox community. According to media reports, Vozner ruled that "there should be no minyan formed in a large gathering [on an airplane] because of the fear of danger, as well as disturbance to proper devotion during prayer and a disturbance to people who pass by." Rather, small minyanim should be formed in several places that will not cause these disturbances. Vozner instructed passengers to recite the long Amidah prayer, which is recited silently, "standing at or next to their seats, and not in the middle of the aisles. But if it cannot be said in this fashion, it is better to sit while reciting the Amidah, and this will be beneficial both for proper concentration and in matters of modesty." Vozner added that passengers must adhere to safety instructions to fasten seatbelts "even in the middle of the Amidah. By behaving properly and in accordance with Jewish law, God's name will be sanctified by us." Vozner's ruling is considered significant because of the many Orthodox Jews who travel on El Al, particularly to and from Israel. -- Michele Chabin Papal museum gets new director The president of La Roche College in Pittsburgh has been named the new director of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center and museum in Washington, D.C. Monsignor William A. Kerr will assume leadership of the $65 million museum and think tank July 1. He succeeds the Rev. G. Michael Bugarin, who oversaw the museum's creation and construction for the past six years. "Monsignor Kerr comes with a wealth of experience and administrative and academic background," Detroit Cardinal Adam Maida, the center's chief patron, said in a statement. -- Kevin Eckstrom

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